Mmm: 



MM^l 






K^^^^^. 

1M 










LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I 




UNITED STATES OF AMERJCA 



/ 



OUR FIRST YEAR OF ARMY LIFE< 



AN 



ANNIVERSAllY ADDRESS, 



DELIVERED TO THE 



FIRST REGIMENT 



CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY, 



AT THEIR CAMR NEAR GAINES' MILLS, VA., 



.T U TsT E, 18 6 2, 



CHAPLAIN OF THE RE^GIMENT. 



^^ * <►- ♦■<^— 



Published for circulation solely amoBg the memhers and friouds of the Eegiment. 



NEW HAVEN: . 
THOMAS IL PEASE, 323 CHAPEL STREET. 

PRINTED BY THOMAS J. STAFFORD. 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, 

Bt EDWARD A. WALKER, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut. 



\<^'f Vv' 



PREF ACE, 



If any of our good friends at home would like to sit for 
awhile with us around our camp fire and listen to the stories 
of our first year of army life, they are most welcome. Only 
they must expect the free and easy style of talk that belongs to 
such a place, and also to hear a great many incidents and allu- 
sions of but little interest and sometimes of but little signifi- 
cance to any but ourselves. The record of the First Connecti- 
cut Artillery does not afi:ord, especially in the first part of it, 
anything to gratity the demands of blood-thirsty sensation 
writers or readers. We have not fought a battle every day, 
as many of us seemed to think we would when we left home, 
and as many seem to think our armies ought to do in order to 
come up to their ideas of active service. Much of our time 
has been spent in camp or in forts, and affords merely quiet 
pictures, so to speak, of our domestic life. Still our experi- 
ence has been singularly varied, and one feature of it, at least, 
may be instructive, as showing the effect of thorough army 
discipline upon volunteer troops. 

Our anniversary came round last June, while we were in 
camp near Gaines' Mills, before Kichmond ; and at that time 
I threw together from rough notes and recollections a sort of 
anniversary address, which occupied us two long evenings. 



Its publication lias been unavoidably delayed till now on 
account of my sufFering from that mysterious disease, which 
some of our medical gentlemen, fur lack of a better name, call 
the ChicJcahominy. But it is ofl'ered to the regiment witli tlie 
hope that it may not have lost all its interest, and that it may 
be at least an acceptable testimonial of tliat kind regard which 
I shall ever cherish toward the ofhcers and men with whom I 
passed one of the most important and interesting periods of 
my life. 

It will be a double pleasure and reward to me if its perusal 
shall afford any satisfaction to my former brethren in arms or 
entertainment to our indulgent friends. 

E. A. W. 

New Haven, November \st, 1862. 



ADDRESS 



intkoductory. 

Fellow Soldiers : — 

A year ago, on tlie ninth of June, 1861, at Camp Mansfield 
in Hartford, tlie Fourth Regiment of Connecticut Yohmteero 
first assembled for the worship of God. It was the day before 
our departure for the seat of v.-ar. The companies had been 
mustered into the service of the United States about two weeks 
before, and had been living a sort of amphibious life in camp 
while their outfit was being completed. Now all was ready. 
Most of us had seen our homes for the last time during the 
war. The last fond embrace had been given to wife and little 
ones. The last words of loving counsel had been spoken by 
mother to son. And on the coming day the last good-bye was 
to be said, as we left our state to serve our common country. 

To most of us this volunteering was no hasty step, into vvdiich 
we were led by the mere excitement of the hour ; nor was it 
one to which vre were impelled by lack of employment or the 
means of support at home; but it was taken, in full view of all 
the liabilities whicli it involved, from a sense of duty to our 
country and our God. The national government had been as- 
sailed by treason. The union and partnership of states had 
been irregularly and dishonorably broken. The will of the 
American people, expressed in strict accordance witli the con- 
stitution by an overwhelming majority of the electoral votes, 
had been spurned. And -now the Southern states were in open 
rebellion against the government, defying its authority, tramp- 
ling on the flag, and threatening with armed force to seize and 
hold the national capital itself. 



A few words concerning the origin and progress of this re- 
bellion, unfolding the motives which prompted ns to take up 
arms, may be a fitting introduction to the record of our first 
year in the service. 

CONCERNING SO-CALLED " NOETIIERN INTEEFEKENCE." 

The cause of the rebellion, as it is claimed by the disaflfected 
states, was interference on the part of the North with South- 
ern rights and institutions. Its immediate occasion was the 
election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency of the United 
States on the platform of no extension of slavery. 

Let us look for a moment at this so-called " interference." 
The discussion of the subject of slavery, whenever it has been 
productive of opposition to Southern views, has of late years 
been called by Southern men " interference," even when such 
discussion has been carried on in strict accordance watli the 
constitution, and when it has been provoked and even demanded 
by themselves. Strange to say, the first prominent abolition- 
ists were Southern men. The first abolition society, if I re- 
member right, was formed at Charleston, South Carolina. At 
that time the North, being occupied with getting rid of its own 
slaves, and regarding the South as equally anxious to do away 
with a system which all felt to be opposed to the social and 
economical interests of the country, as well as unnatural and 
wrong — the North interested itself no more in the subject of 
Southern slavery than a general regard for the respectability 
and welfare of the whole country would naturally prompt. 
Moreover, the spirit of the constitution was opposed to slavery. 
The existence of the system was recognized by the framers of 
that document only as a national evil, requiring, it is true, cer- 
tain exceptional provisions, but to be got rid of as soon as cir- 
cumstances would permit. All this is abundantly shown in 
the writings of such men as Washington, Adams, Hamilton, 
Jay, Jefierson, Llenry, and others, many of them Southern 
men, and slaveholders ; and, after years of vain denial, such is 
at last the frank admission of the South in the Avords of no less 
a representative than the Vice-president of the Confederate 



States, Alexander IT. Stephens of Georgia, who said in a 
speech in the Athenanmi at Savannali, as reported by the Sa- 
vannah HepuWican, — "The prevailing ideas entertained by 
him [Jefferson] and most of the leading statesmen at the 
time of the formation of the old constitution were that the 
enslavement of the African was in violation of the laws of 
nature ; that it was wrong in 2:)rinciple, socially, morally and po- 
litically." — " Our new government is founded upon exactly op- 
posite ideas ; its foundations are laid, its corner stone rests upon 
the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man ; 
that slavery, subordination to the superior race, is his natural 
and moral condition." — To which he adds with impious irrev- 
erence, " This stone [slavery] which was rejected by the first 
builders ^ is hecome the chief stone of the corner'' in the new 
edifice." 

"What is this but an emphatic avowal that slavery and the 
fundamental principles of the constitution are " exactly oppo- 
site ideas,'''' that as such, slavery was " rejected^'' by the framers 
of the constitution? And is not this virtually a full endorse- 
ment of the right and duty on the part of the people of the 
United States to oppose all efforts to perpetuate and extend 
the system of slavery as unconstitutional and in bad faith ? 

But not only does tliis so-called I^orthern interference thus 
appear to be perfectly justified and proper under the constitu- 
tion, but it is also true that it was provoked and forced upon 
the N^orth by the South itself 

Is^otwithstanding the recognized fact that tlie spirit of the 
constitution w^as opposed to slavery, and notwithstanding the 
efforts on the part of early Southern politicians toward the abo- 
lition of the system, this system was to slaveholders so lucra- 
tive and agreeable that these began to oppose the idea of abo- 
lition, and finally to seek under the constitution guarantees 
for the protection and extension of slavery.— Mark this as the 
root of our present troubles. The spirit of the constitution 
was violated by the idea of tlie protection and extension of 
slavery, and discord, maturing into rebellion, was the offspring. 

But these constitutional guarantees could only be admitted 
by action of Congress. On all the propositions and demands 
which the South brought forward to this end, legislation on the 



8 

part of the whole country Avas necessary. If slavery is to be- 
come a national instead of state institution — if it is to be spread 
over territory common to all the states — if new privileges are 
to be accorded to slaveholders v/ithin the free states — all this 
can only be done by act of Congress. The will of the people 
North and South must be expressed through their representa- 
tives ; and in determining what this will shall be, a perfectly 
free, untrammeled expression of individual opinion is inevita- 
ble ; so that the discussion of the subject of slavery on the part 
of JSTorthern men, however it may be opposed in spirit, meth- 
od, and result, to Southern preferences, so far froui being charge- 
able to interference, is seen to be demanded and actually forced 
upon the North by the South itself. Yet notice here the intol- 
erable and preposterous assumption of the South. She could 
discuss the subject. She could lay down the right and wrong 
of it. She could dictate concerning the constitution. She 
could defame and vilif}" the North with most extravagant and 
bitter epithets. She could shamelessly retaliate by acts of bru- 
tal violence on those whose views or conduct were oifensive to 
her. But let the North, in the discussion forced upon her by 
the unconstitutional demands of the South, express her candid 
opinion, and she is charged with "interference." Let her ex- 
press her preferences through the ballot-box, in strict accord- 
ance with the constitution, and she is charged with being the 
cause of treason and rebellion. As if the moral action of the 
North were to be directed by a slaveholdhig conscience ! As 
if her intellectual decisions were to be determined by the heat- 
ed brains of Southern politicians ! As if her i:)olitical action 
were to be controlled by the charlatanry of Southern oratory ! 
As if discussion were not free ! As if the will of the majority 
were not, under the constitution, the law of the republic! 

THE KEBELLION UNFOLDING. 

I have said that the germ of our existing difficulties was to 
be found in the effort on the part of the South, in ojoposition 
to the spirit of the constitution, to secure the protection and 
extension of slavery. We are all familiar with the steps by 
which lier politicians sought to attain this end. Now by bar- 



gains, now by protestations, now by threats, ever ploughing with 
the most ignorant or selfish classes of the North, they stead- 
ily advanced their line of policy, so that Southern statesmen 
now admit, in singular opposition to their complaints all along, 
that the South has not asked a favor under the constitution 
for the last fifty years without obtaining it. By the Missouri 
Compromise in 1820 Missouri was admitted as a slave state 
into the union. Then Texas was annexed and thrown open 
to slavery. TJien the Fugitive Slave Law was passed. Tlien 
the Missouri Compromise was repealed. Flattered by these suc- 
cesses, and knowing that slavery must eitlier spread or die, the 
South began to advance new and more rapacious scliemes, 
Cuba was to be annexed by purchase or force — then Mexico ; 
and all territories of the United States were to be open to 
slavery. Then Southern families must be allowed in traveling 
to bring their slaves with them to the ISTorth, And, at last, the 
insulting threat of Toombs should be realized, that he would 
yet call the roll of his slaves from the foot of Bunker Hill 
Monument. 

But all this time the people of tlie JSTorth, and the leaders 
of the South, had felt that the spirit of the constitution was 
opposed to slavery ; that slavery could not become a national 
institution ; that, if it were to exist at all, it must do so merely 
as a state institution, and as such must be confined to the 
states where it belonged ; that no more slave territory sliould 
be annexed ; and that the now existing territory of tlie United 
States must be, and renuiin, forever free. In vain slaveholders 
plead their right to take their property wherever they pleased. 
The fallacy of their claims was shown by the fiict that t]ie_y also 
demanded and received representation in Congress foi" three- 
fifths of their slaves, so that slaves could not be considered 
merely as property, but as persons degraded to the condition 
of slavery. In vain the South maintained that the territories 
of the United States were common, and therefore free to 
slavery as to freedom. Free to slavery as to freedom ? Free 
to Slavery ? How debased the human mind and heart must 
be to harbor for a moment such a sentiment ! No. Slavery is 
a mere local and exceptional institution. It cannot be foisted 



10 

thus among the tree institutions of the republic. If it exist 
at all, it must be not by protection but by tolerance. Eather 
restriction than extension. Ratlicr abolition than perpetua- 
tion. Thus spoke the people of the free states; and by them, 
on the conservative platform of no extension of slavery, 
Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States, 
Immediately, South Carolina taking the lead, several of the 
Southern states seceded. Their constitutional rights were' 
untouched ; and, if these had been interfered with, there 
wei'e means of constitutional redress. But they foresaw that 
slavery, if checked, must die. It was checked. Its plans of 
aggression were brought to nought. Its hopes were dashed. 
Its pride was humbled. Its threats were played out. Noth- 
ing was left to its adherents but to submit or secede ; and, 
reckless of consequences, they chose the latter. 

DISnOXOKABLE SECESSIOiN". 

But this was not all. They did not honorably secede. 
Foreseeing the result of the election, the leaders of the South 
had been for a long time secretly planning to withdraw, and 
had been hard at work undermining the power of the federal 
government, crippling its resources, doing all in their power 
to make it defenseless against the treason which they medita- 
ted. Large quantities of arms and munitions of Avar had 
been distributed throughout the Southern states ; and these 
were now appropriated. United States forts, arsenals, manu- 
factories, dockyards, vessels, and public property of all de- 
scriptions were seized. The nav}' was sent abroad to distant 
ports. The army was largely in their hands. And — what 
makes the matter still worse — all this was done directl}" by, or 
at the instigation of, men who had held or were holding offices 
of trust and of emolument under the federal government. 
Think of it, you who have heard so much in days gone by of 
"Southern honor" — here were the leaders and representatives 
of the South, men who had taken the most solemn oaths to be 
faithful to the federal government, who were enjoying its 
protection and living on its benefits — here they were under 



11 

cover of tlieir sacred, vaunted honor, stealthily and deliberately 
plotting the ruin of that which before God they had sworn to 
support and maintain ! • Did perjury ever take so black a die ? 
Was treason ever so infamous ? 

" But were not these things ours by right V is the idle and 
shameless reply of the secessionist. " Did we not help pay for 
public improvements ? — and were not these, being on Southern 
soil, our proper share ?" 

Now, setting aside the feet that tlie South has always cost 
the government, in tlie way of public expenditures, vastly 
more than her proportion, and that, with all her boasted con- 
tributions to the wealtli and prosperity of the North, she never 
gave a cent without receiving what she considered a fair 
equivalent, but, on the contrary, has repeatedly refused to pay 
her honest debts, basely repudiating enough to make her 
bankrupt among nations — I say, setting all this aside with 
its accompanying obligations — what right liad the Soutliern 
states to set themselves up as arbiters on a question of com- 
mon property ? — You and I are partners in tlie jewelry busi- 
ness. Of course, the watches and money belong to tlie firm. 
No one of us has the right to appropriate the smallest part of 
them. Suppose, now, that I become through any cause dis- 
affected and wish to dissolve the partnership — have I any 
right whatever to go to the money drawer and help myself to its 
contents, to take all the watches and jewelry that I can lay my 
hands on, and secede, claiming these as my legal share? Sup- 
pose they were at my end of the store — would that palliate 
my guilt ? Even suppose that you had violated the terms of 
our agreement, and had made yourself every way obnoxious to 
me — would not such proceedings on my part be altogether 
illegal and criminal ? But this is precisely what the Southern 
states have done. And tlius, supposing that tlie union were 
simply a partnership of states as under the Articles of Con- 
federation of 17Y7, the conduct of tlie South is seen to be in 
bad faith and dishonorable. Much more, tlien, when we con- 
sider that in that " more perfect union " under the existino; 
constitution, the rights of tlie state are vested in the general 



12 

government, from wliicli all the protection and all tlie powers 
of the individual states are regularly derived. 

IIow was it when in the last war with England the New 
England states were disaffected, and the propriety and right 
of their secession was everywhere discussed ? Nothing irregu- 
lar or unconstitutional was done, or even contemplated, by 
them — not even in the famous Hartford Convention ; but the 
whole nation was indignant even at the discussion. Meetings 
were held in yonder town of Kichmond, and resolutions were 
passed rebuking the conduct of Connecticut and denying her 
right under any circumstances to secede from the federal 
nnion. That power which has formed the union of states, 
said the voice of Virginia, alone has the right to dissolve it ; 
and that power is the General Convention. New England 
admitted the argument. Miich against her preference and 
apparent interest she remained in the federal union. And 
now her sons are here before Richmond, maintaining those 
principles which Virginia maintained, upholding that govern- 
ment which Virginia helped to construct, for which she fought 
and bled, but which her degenerate sons now repudiate and 
trample under foot. So much for Southern honor and con- 
sistency ! 

COERCIOISr A DUTY. 

" But," says the secessionist — and the cry has sounded to 
us from over the water — " what right has the North to compel 
the Southern states to remain in the union against their will ?" 

I answer, the difficulty is not merely one between the North- 
ern and the Southern states, but it is between the govern- 
ment of the United States and rebels. Strange that there 
should be any misapprehension of this point, or any doubt 
concerning it ! Is it not an axiom of govermnent, that every 
government has the right of self-preservation — the right to 
defend itself from traitors v/ithin as well as from foes without ? 
If treason in the individual be a capital crime, is it any less 
so because traitors are numbered by thousands ? — is it any less 
our duty to punish them and purge the state of thorn? As if, 



13 

because tliG cancer is great and its corrosion violent, tlierc 
were the less need of rcniovinp; it ! 

" But you cannot subjugate the South," says the secession- 
ist — and England echoes the taunt. " Why, then, do you not 
let her alone, now that she has gone out of the union, instead 
of going to war to compel her to return V 

AVe will not boast of Avhat we can do ; but one thing is cer- 
tain — we will spare no money, pains, nor life, but that we will 
vindicate the honor of our government and preserve our 
national integrity. It is not for the monetary value of the 
South that we are fighting. It is not for the privilege of pay- 
ing her public expenses, running her mails, trusting her credit 
and sharing the disgrace of her character and institutions, 
that we are here in arms. But it is for justice, right, and 
honor. 

Suppose, for the moment, that this rebellion should succeed, 
that the Southern Confederacy should be established on its 
"corner stone" of slavery, and that the "stars and bars," 
according to the visions of the South Carolina prophets, should 
cover the seas. And now suppose that England shovdd seize 
some little schooner sailing under that flag and wantonly re- 
fuse to give her up. Would not every Southern heart burn 
with the sense of the outrage thus inflicted? Would not the 
whole people spring to arms to avenge the insult ? AVould not 
all nations point at them the finger of scorn, if they did not? 
And would not England be the first and bitterest to ridicule 
their craven spirit and taunt them with dishonor? What 
shall we say, then, when ships, forts, arsenals and mints are 
seized ; when public property of all descriptions is appro- 
priated, or v/antonly destroyed ; when the flag of our union is 
trampled under foot ; when the constitution, under which in 
good faith we were bound to live, is spat upon ; when men are 
hanged for being loyal to the government ; when the capital 
itself is threatened :— and all this at the hands of men who 
had lived and fatted in our oflices of honor and of trust, and 
whose sacred word was pledged to maintain our national gov- 
ernment and integrity ! Did ever the history of the world 
present so imperative and righteous a cause of war? 



14 



CONCEKNING PEACEABLE SECESSION. 

We liave heard much talk of " peaceable secession" since the 
war began ; and those who try to throw the odinni of the war 
upon the Korth, would fain have us believe that the Southern 
states would have gone out quietly and in order, if we would 
have let them. Yery quietly and peaceably, indeed, did they 
concoct their schemes of treason ! Yery cautiously and gently 
did they unfold thera ! Yery softly did Mr. liuffin pull the 
lanyard when he fired the first gun at Fort Sumter ! Talk 
about peaceable secession ! The idea never entered into the 
Southern head, until the Southern heart faltered in view of 
the consequences of its crime. With unparalleled forbearance 
we looked on the first movements of the rebellion, and waited 
to see the South retrace her steps. It seemed impossible that 
she should be capable of such folly, temerity, and crime. But 
no. Instead of returning to their loyalty, the leaders of the 
revolt began to entice and to force out of the union states that 
would gladly have remained. Ever}' day unfolded new proofs 
of the magnitude of their schemes. Public property of all 
kinds was seized by them. Armed with their stolen arms they 
threatened the loyal troops that still occupied the Southern 
forts. N^ay, more, they even tin-eatened to take the capital it- 
self, and make it the seat of their confederacy. It is useless to 
deny this. Read the Southern papers of the day. Recall the 
fiery speeches of their leaders. Better yet, refer to the 
multitude of private letters of warning and condolence written 
to us b}^ Southern friends. These all evince the ho23es and 
plans of the leaders of the rebellion. They hoped that when 
they fired the signal gun, the political tactions of the North 
would fly to arms, the republican administration would be 
overthrown. New England should become the seat of civil 
war, which should not end until the so-called " rights of the 
South" should be vindicated, and slavery should become the 
law of the land. 

Such were their boasts ; and so they fired the signal gun, 
and stood on tiptoe " to observe the eftect of tlie shot." A 



15 

wonderful shot ! As its echoes rolled over the country, tliero 
was a o-reat uprising, such as the world had not seen since the 
soldiers of the crojs went forth to save the Holy City. They 
looked — that cannon ball had shot down every vestige of party 
feeling at the North. They looked — and lo, the whole North 
stood united as one man beneath the starry flag. They looked, 
and helplessly cried, " we are deceived," and raised the feeble 
wail of " let us alone ; pray let us peaceably secede !" 

They were deceived — deceived in the character and disposi- 
tion of the North. Sonthern honor coidd perjure itself, viola- 
ting the most sacred oaths, betraying the most important 
trusts. Southern chivalry could fire upon an inoffensive ves- 
sel, bringing food to a starving garrison. But not so the "mud 
sills" and " greasy mechanics" of the North. Whatever had 
been their feeling in the political struggles of the past, one 
blow at the government, one insult to the flag, found them 
true at heart to the repul:)lic, ready to sacrifice everything to 
maintain the honor and integrity of our national union. 

As to peaceably seceding, no one doubts the right of any 
state to this, provided it be done decently, and in a legitimate 
way. But a rebellion, beginning with treason, unfolding with 
fraud and corruption, and breaking out at last in acts of open 
violence and hostility, does not look much like peaceable se- 
cession. 

TIIE WAR INEVITABLE. 

The case stood thus : Either war, or a craven submission on 
the part of the nation to the dictates of traitors ; war, or the 
repudiation of the vital principles of the republic ; war, or un- 
avenged endurance of loss of territory, forts, public buildings, 
ships, arms, money; war, or the loss of honor among nations ; 
war, or the ignoble failure of the great republic ; war, or the 
triumph of treason ; war, or the blight of slavery all over this 
free land ! Who prates of peace at such a time ? Better war, 
with all its terrors, than peace with evils such as these. Peace 
under a dishonored flao; ? Peace with treason ? God forbid ! 



REGIMENTAL RECORD. 



THE EEGIMENT ORGANIZED. 

Already the tliree-montlis troops were in tlie Held ; but as 
day after day unfolded new proofs of tlie magnitude and viru- 
lence of the rebellion, it became evident that a long and des- 
perate struggle would ue necessary to vindicate the honor and 
just claims of the federal government. Accordingly the 
President, on the 3d of May, 1861, issued a call for 42,034 
volunteers, to serve for three years, unless sooner discharged. 
And the Fourth Regiment of Connecticut Yolunteers was the 
first enrolled under the provisions of this act. 

The regiment was composed of recruits from all parts of the 
state. New Haven and Hartford gave their men of business, 
and laboring men. New London sent her sailor boys. The 
thrifty valley of the Naugatuck sent her mechanics and factory 
hands. The northern counties sent their tall and robust farm- 
ers. Every honorable trade and avocation had its representa- 
tives among us ; and every station in society, from the highest 
dov.'n, was represented in our rank and file. 

And here they stand this beautiful Sabbath morning, on the 
green sward of the meadow, just before the camp, seeking 
God's blessing as they enter on this strange, new life. It is an 
hoiir of sober, honest thought, of noble resolutions, of devout 
consecration ; and, as their prayers ascend before the Throne 
of Grace, they mingle with clouds of fragrant incense that 
from church and fireside, all over the state, wreath heaven- 
ward their loved ones heart's desire aud prayer to God for 
them. 



17 

God's blessing be upon tlieni ! Thei'r's is a rigliteons cause. 
Well may they exclaim as tlicy go forth : " Blessed be the 
Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war and my 
fingers to fight."* Well may they as Christian men go ibrth, 
lor Christ came not to bring that peace to earth which is 
bought by compromise with evil. — " I came not to bring peace 
on earth but a sword." 

THE D E P A R T IT R E. 

/«'(e 10//(, 1861. 

On Monday morning, early, all was bustle and preparation. 
The tents were ordered to be struck at eight o'clock ; and ru- 
mor was that we were to proceed immediately to Washington 
by way of Baltimore. Accordingly, as the city clocks struck 
eight, at the tap of the drum, the tents fell ; Camp Mans- 
field was no more; and by another hour a long line of army- 
wagons, loaded with camp equipage, Avas coming down the 
meadow road to the steamboat dock for shipment. At eleven 
o'clock the regiment was marshaled to receive its escort, which 
consisted of the First Company of Governor's Horse Guards, 
the Putnam Phalanx, the City Guard Company B, and a com- 
pany of boys. 

It was not until one o'clock that we took up our line of march 
to town. The day was oppressively hot, and several men faint- 
ed before leaving the grounds. Coming down Windsor Ave- 
nue many were overcome by the heat and were obliged to leave 
the ranks. More dead than alive we reached the State House 
Square, where we stood, it seemed for hours, on the hot pave- 
ment under the broiling sun, wdiile speeches were being made 
which not one-tenth of us could hear. 

The regimental standard was presented to Colonel Wood- 
liouse by Lieutenant-Governor Douglass, and the national flag 
by H. L. Miller, Esq., in behalf of the ladies of the Putnam 
Phalanx. 

At last, after marching and countermarching about the town, 
and being overwhelmed with heat, and hand-shakings, and 



* Psalm cxllv, 1. The text on that occasion. 



18 

Imrrahs, and bouquets, and waving liandkercliiefs, and crying 
ladies, and smiling ladies, and enthusiastic men, who wanted 
to shake you all to pieces in bidding you good-bye, we succeed- 
ed in getting safely embarked, about four o'clock P. M., on 
board the steamboats City of Hartford and Granite State. 

From fifteen to twenty thousand people were assembled to 
witness our departure. All the buildings, docks and piers, 
within sight, were thronged with spectators. The steamboat 
wharf was covered with a dense and suffocating crowd ; and 
the vessels in the vicinity were crowded, some to the very 
mast-head. 

Then there was music, and firing of cannon, and tremendous 
cheering, and waving of hats and handkerchiefs on all sides ; 
and, as we steamed down the river, new crow^ds and new can- 
non, new hats and new handkerchiefs, and new, fresh, aw^ful 
cheers, till the recix^rocating ones on board became utterly tired 
out, and subsided into a mechanical bobbing of the head, and 
emitting a faint, wlieezing sound. What would liave become 
of them, had the demonstrations along shore continued, it is 
impossible to say ; but, fortunately, night threw her veil around 
the steamers and left the wearied, jaded soldiers to repose. 

I need not dw^ell upon the incidents on board the boats. 
Sufiice it to say, that ofiicers and men were in the best of spir- 
its, and that evening, on the Granite State at least, 

" All went merry as a marriage bell." 

Next morning we found ourselves in Jersey City. Orders 
came assigning us to General Patterson's command, and direct- 
ing us to report to him immediately. But we were delayed all 
day in the station house by lack of transportation. At half- 
past five P. M., however, a train of twenty-eight cars w^as ready 
for us, and we set out for Philadelphia, consoling ourselves for 
past annoyances by eating oranges. For kind Mrs. Sigourney, 
divining exactly what our wants would be, had provided an 
orange for every member of the regiment, which she sent with 
Jier l)est wishes and prayers for our success. 

All along our route crowds gathered at the stations to greet 



19 

us, and large bonfires were kindled. We traveled all Tuesday 
night, with varions interruptions, reached Philadelphia at half- 
past three A. M. on AYednesday, and in the gray of the morn- 
ing marched across the city to take the cars for Harrisbm-g. 

A beautiful ride we had that day, through splendid farming 
country and along the romantic valley of the Susqnehanna. 
Never had our Connecticut farmers beheld such broad, luxuri- 
ant and abounding fields of grain, such spacious barns, — not 
even Danbury could boast their equal. One incident alone 
occurred to mar our perfect pleasure. At Columbia, there by 
the river, under the clifi', one poor fellow'" jumping on to the 
cars missed his foothold, fell, and was run over by them. Sad- 
ly his comrades gathered round him ; but nothing could be 
done. And so, with uncovered heads, commending his soul to 
God in prayer, we left him with the kind and hospitable peo- 
ple of the place to die. 

Late that evening we arrived at Chambersburg, where we 
found orders to remain for the present, and that night we lay 
in the clover under the starlight — our first bivouac. 

CAMP ]M c C L U E E . 
June ISth—llth. 

What pleasant memories we have of Camp McClure, and of 
the hospitable family after whom this camp was named ! The 
camp was on the grounds of Colonel Alexander K. McClure. 
His house lay on the left, as our tents were pitched, its dormer 
windows looking out from the thick foliage of surrounding 
trees, its roof surmounted with a beautiful United States flag, 
and its doors ever open to welcome those who had come forth 
to nuiintain the honor of that flag. What a beautiful view 
there was from that rising ground back of the eiicampment ! 
In front was always Colonel Starkweather, on his spirited 
horse, drilling his regiment, the First Wisconsin, — and how 
splendidly they used to drill ! Beyond lay the rows of tents ; 
and then vast waving seas of green and yellow grain, relieved 
here and there by a cluster of liouses or of trees, till the eye 

* George Barrett 2d, Co. II, of New Hartford, Conn. 



20 

became lost in the distance in the lights and shadows of the 
Blue Ridge. 

That First Wisconsin Regiment was a fine set of men — 
rough in their ways but hearty ; and a cordial friendship soon 
sprung up between us. As they were on the ground before us^ 
they very politely made us the first call, dashing in among our 
tents one evening with wild war-whoops, brandishing hatchets 
and clubs, and dressed out with blankets and leggings in true 
Indian style. The friendship thus begun was afterward ce- 
mented l)y many social meetings of the officers and excursions 
on the part of the men. 

The Wiscon-sinners were mighty huntsmen, and soon taught 
our men to capture and skin the wild boar, with which 
the neiffhborino- farms abounded. And it was well for us 
that they did so ; for, since the oranges, nothing but crack- 
ers had been served out to the regiment. The men had crack- 
ers for breakfast, dinner, and tea. When they were thirsty, 
they chewed crackers to promote salivation. Their haversacks 
were filled with crackers. They wore crackers on their coats 
for buttons and shoulder-scales. They made little w\agons out 
of crackers, with crackers for wheels ; and, having loaded 
them wdth crackers, drew^ them about the camp, peddling crack- 
ers to their Wisconsin friends. But pork was an agreeable 
change. Let us hope that Colonel McClure next Christmas 
did not reproach us. 

This camp is also memorable as being the first place where 
our eyes beheld the secesh flag, for which many of us had been 
keeping up a bright lookout ever since leaving Philadelphia. 
A portion of rock on a distant mountain side had fallen away, 
leaving exposed a light colored surface. The sharp eyes of 
the Hartford boys detected this, and many were the conjec- 
tures as to wdiat it might be. One thought it was a white 
building. But this was deemed improbable on account of its 
location. Another guessed it might be a white cloth or flag. 
The next man saw it wave. The next was sure he saw a red- 
dish stripe. A glass was brought, and by its help the bars and 
the blue field were somewhat doubtfully made out. But at 
last some keen-eyed hero counted seven stars ; and immediately 



21 

Company A besouglit tlie colonel to let tliem take that flag or 
perish in the attempt ! 

C A M !• N ]-: G L E Y. 

June 11th — Juhj Glh. 

On the ITtli day of Jnne, at 12 o'clock, we took the cars 
for Ilagerstown, and soon found ourselves again with our Wis- 
consin fi-iends in camp Negley, about a mile and a half from 
town, on the Boonsborough road. Rumors were already being 
circulated that the rebels were in considerable force opposite 
Williamsport, intending to cross the river, and that a general 
uprising of the Maryland secessionists was to be made at the 
same time. We began to screw our courage up for our first 
fight. Swords were sharpened, guns and pistols put in order, 
letters written home. The great crisis of the war had come. 
Now or never for the great triumph of republican institutions ! 
The eyes of Europe were strained with anxiety to behold the 
issue of the conflict. 

Sure enough, at midnight the long roll was beaten, 
and without breakfast we were hurried oft' on the double- 
quick for Williamsport We found here a large body of 
troops. The rebels had been seen just across the river ; and 
marvelous stories were told of the effect of certain shot Avliich 
our guns had thrown among them. There appeared to have 
been every prospect of a fight ; but, as has uniformly been the 
case in the experience of our regiment, on our approach the 
rebels ran. Maryland was saved. The crisis was postponed. 

That day we lay and roasted under a burning sun in a shade- 
less pasture lot, with nothing to eat or drink but crackers. 
Then, in the evening, we marched back again to Ilagerstown. 
We found the camp in the greatest state of excitement, tlie 
guards firing at everything that came along the road ; and all 
because an intelligent colored person had suggested that an 
effort might be made on the part of the secessionists to seize 
certain boxes and ammunition, which had been left lying by 
the roadside. But the coming of the regiment restored confi- 
dence. Weary, hungry, and exhausted by heat, we sought our 
tents. And thus ended our first forced march. 



22 

While stationed at Camp Neglej our regi meiit was brigaded 
under General Abercrombie with the First Wisconsin and the 
Eleventh Pennsylvania, with which latter we had formed a 
pleasant acquaintance at Chambersburg, But when General 
Patterson advanced into Virginia, we were detached from the 
brigade to take the provost guard of ITagerstown and Williams- 
port, to guard the railway, arsenal, government stores, and 
hospitals in the former place, the ford at Williamsport, and to 
maintain open communication between the railroad and Gen- 
eral Patterson's advance. We thus escaped sharing the mor- 
tification of General Patterson's unprofitable campaign, while 
faithfully performing the duties assigned to us, and enjoying 
the confidence and good fellowship of the citizens of the towns 
where we were quartered. 

Until the fourth of July the entire regiment remained at 
Camp Negley, save that the tents were moved from down 
by the dusty road up on the hill, and guards were regu- 
larly detailed for the town, arsenal, &c. But on the fourth 
of July the five companies of the left wing, under command 
of Major Birge, were sent to Williamsport, and on the sixth 
headquarters were moved from Camp Negley to the fair 
grounds, just below the arsenal on the Williamsport road. 
Here we remained till August 16tli. 

This period of two months is full of incidents interesting to 
ns, — not stirring scenes of war, except the capture of the famous 
Cavetown gun ; not of military disj^lay, if we except the fan- 
ciful dress-parades of the detachment on guard at the arsenal ; 
but pleasant incidents of camp life and social intercourse in 
to,wn, varied with excursions to Winchester, Harper's Ferry, 
and elsewhere, and with the usual exciting alarms which 
Hagerstown keeps up. 

CAMT ABEECEOMBIE. 

July 6th — Avf/ust l&tfi. 

If we had hunted all over this planet for the prettiest spot 
for a camping ground, we could scarcely have found one more 
charming and perfectly adapted to our wants than this. Our 
tents were pitched in a beautiful grove of oak and black 
walnut trees. The ground about was broken up with fantastic 



9S 



ledges of limestone, jutting out in just the riglit places to pro- 
duce the most picturesque effect ; and from under one of these 
a gushing spring poured ont a copious stream of clear, cold 
water into a little lake. 

That lake — one moonlight night, I called it " lovely " and 
maintain that it was, although our Surgeon, looking at it from 
a merely professional point of view, insists that it was a vile, 
unhealthy pond, green with frog spawn, and with fever and 
ague sitting all around among the lily pads. But that night, 
and at many other times, it was really beautiful. Frequent 
groups of tulip, elm, and walnut trees stood along its margin — 
some overgrown with vines, and bending low their branches 
till the}' almost touched their images reflected from beneath. 
At the further end, half hidden by surrounding oaks and 
elms, appeared a thrifty looking saw-mill, and another just 
below, its counterpart, seen in the clear depths that bathed the 
roots of those grand trees. Immediately around the camp 
were several private residences, shutting off the distant view 
on either side. But in front, as seen from the hill behind the 
camp, the country rolled away in a succession of luxuriant 
fields of grain just ready for the harvest, with here and there 
a farm-house or a patch of woods to break the monotony of 
the scene, till it was hemmed in by a range of mountains, a 
branch of the Blue E-idge. 

In this beautiful spot we — that is, the right wing of the 
regiment — made ourselves thoroughly at home. A number of 
buildings on the premises, which had been erected for the 
accommodation of the county fair, were refitted by the men 
for various uses. The largest served as an evening lecture- 
room, and as a church in rainy weather ; in another were held 
our daily prayer-meetings, glee-clubs, rehearsals, etc, ; another 
was occupied as a guard-house ; aiiother was used for forage, 
while excellent stalls were furnished for our horses. In addition 
to these comforts, the men put up swings and l)ars for gymnastic 
exercises, so that we were abundantly provided with means of 
recreation, as well as with all the necessities of life. I tliink 
I never saw an equal number of men more happy, contented, 
and good-natured, than ours were at Camp Abercrombie. Our 



24 

life there was like that of a summer picnic; and the men, 
thongli keen for fighting and prompt to y^erform all their 
military duties, had the air of a party of summer excursionists. 

Shall I sketch you a few pictures ? 

It is a sultry afternoon. But few men are in camp. Most 
arc off on guard or escort duty. Colonel Woodhouse, after his 
after-dinner nap, is seated in his favorite position in the shade 
of the great oak in front of his marquee. The men are grouped 
about in shady places among the rocks reading books from tlie 
regimental library, writing letters or playing cards. • The sen- 
tinels have ceased to walk their beats, and, having constructed 
shelters from the sun with loose boards set np against the 
fence, are seated nnder them dozing over their books. All is 
quiet in the company streets. The buzzing flies alone disturb 
the peaceful scene. 

A little later the air grows cool. Company H wakes np, 
and, after a few preparatory scuffles, a ring is formed for box- 
ing. Company A begins its everlasting song about " the pret- 
ty little girl tliat I saw dressed in blue." Some go to pitching 
quoits ; others to swinging or exercising on the bars. Compa- 
ny G "walks about in pyramids." Company I gets up a foot 
race on the track ; while Mistah Ca?sali marshals " Company 
L" and puts them through the manual with " sojah aams !" &c. 

Later still. The band is playing. Parties of ladies and 
gentlemen from town come into camp. " Connecticut Hall " 
is lighted up. The great flag hangs above the platform. 
The hall is filled with soldiers and citizens, for Judge Weisel 
of Ilagerstown is to deliver the third regular lecture in our ly- 
ceum course. His subject was Wash'uigtoii' s Farewell Ad- 
dress. Nothing could have been .better timed or more appro- 
priate; and we shall always gratefully remember the scholarly 
ability and earnest patriotism of that excellent discourse. 

Again, it is Sabbath morning. '' Church call " has sounded, 
and the men are falling in for service in the company streets. 
On a low ledge of rock, in the shade of a group of oaks, the 
drums are piled, two upon three, for a pulpit. At the right 
and left of these stand the color sergeants bearing tlie state and 
national colors. Behind the pulpit seats are arranged for the 



25 

Colonel and other officers ; at the riglit and left are arranged tlio 
band and regimental choir; and in front, among tlie trees, 
the soldiers are drawn np in order, seated on the ground, which 
they have covered with their India rubljcr blankets. People 
from the neighborhood or from the town arc gatJicred round. 
"When all is ready, the band, on intimation to that etfect, 
plays the salute ; the men stand at attention and uncovei', and 
immediately the whole regiment, accompanied by the band, 
unite in singing 

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," etc. 

The men then cover and stand at in j^lcice rest. A selection 
from the Book of Psalms is read, short, and adai)ted to the 
opening of service ; and after this an anthem or ehant is per- 
formed by the regimental choir. A lesson from Scripture then 
follows, and prayer, closing with the Lord's Prayer, in Avhich all 
unite. Then a hymn is sung by the whole regiment. The or- 
der is then given '' Best P"* the men are seated, and the sermon 
is delivered, closing with a few sentences of prayer. After the 
notices have been read, the band plays the salute, the men rise 
and uncover, and immediately all again unite in singing the 
doxology. The benediction is then pronounced. 

But it nnist not be supposed that all this time no military 
duty was being performed. As I have already said, the regiment 
was too much broken up and weakened by details for extra 
service to admit of regular drill or even dress-parades. Large 
detachments were continually being sent with wagon trains to 
"Winchester and Harper's Ferry ; guards were regularly detail- 
ed for provost duty and to guard the hospital in town ; and oc- 
casionally a squad of men would be sent for in a hurry to quell 
a riot in the wagon camp. Scarce a week passed without some 
horrible conspiracy to blow up the magazine. Every night 
our "pickets" scoured the gardens and orchards of the whole 
region round about ; and not unfrequently was heard the 
sharp, quick " Halt ! halt ! halt !" — bang ! of the sentinel, and 
some unlucky swine paid with his life the penalty of having 
received a cast-out secession demon. 



26 

One deed of arms deserves to be recorded ; 

THE CAPTURE OF THE CAVETOWN GUN. 

It ]i;id been reported to our commanding officer from vari- 
ous influential sources that a splendid brass rifled cannon was 
concealed by the secessionists in Cavetown, a village some 
eight miles distant from our camp. Tlie place was, moreover, 
said to be a perfect hot-bed of secession, and we might expect 
at any time to be attacked and overwhelmed from thence. At 
all events the government of the United States could never 
hope for tranquillity so long as such nests of treason were left 
wathin tlie commonwealth. Accordingly, on mature delibera- 
tion, it was thought best to capture tlie gun and strike terror 
into the hearts of the inhabitants. 

The responsibility of conducting this critical enterprise was 
assigned to Lieutenant Dow, an officer of whose cautious judg- 
ment and resolute valor there could be no doul)t. The force 
consisted of eighteen men, prudently concealed in a govern- 
ment wagon, and a small party of gentlemen on horseback. 
A member of Company F, who claimed to have seen the house 
where the gun was kept, acted as guide to tlie expedition. 

No incident of importance occurred upon the way ; but an 
air of mystery and of solemn responsibility, which not even 
the hardest jolting of the wagon could dispel, enveloped every 
member of the party, and gave to their progress a dignity and 
interest seldom found in the movements of larger bodies of 
men. 

The village was taken completely by surprise. On reaching 
the house where the gun was kept, the male inhabitants were 
seen, making tracks across a neighboring fleld, but were imme- 
diately brought to a stand by a bit of advice from one of the 
officers. Guards were then posted about the premises. At 
this juncture the women, wild with excitement, rushed from 
the house, and sought refuge among the men. After most 
amusing demonstrations on the part of various members of the 
family, quiet being somewhat restored, Lieutenant Dow ob- 
served to the old man of the house, — • 



27 

"I have come here for that cannon which you have con- 
cealed."' 

The men h:)oked al)0ut ahstractedly. The women assumed 
an air of surprise. 

"Cannon! 'ndeed ther aint no cannon about hyer, as I 
knows of — nary one." 

Chorus of women : — " 'ndeed, tlier aint nary one," — follow- 
ed by such a clattering of protestations as would have over- 
wlielmed the judgment of any one unused to secesh character. 

Meanwhile the soldiers rummaged about, finding nothing, 
till they came to the smoke-house, which was locked. This 
fact was reported to the Lieutenant. 

" Where's the key of the smoke-house ?" 

" 'ndeed ther aint nothin in thar but vittals. 'ndeed ther 
aint. 'ndeed 'n'double," cried the women. 

" But Where's the key ?" 

"Aint none. It's took away." 

" IIow do you get in V 

" Can't." 

"What's the use of having a smoke-house full of victuals, if 
you can't get into it ?" 

ISTo answer w^as made to this. 

" Well, I guess I know a way to get in," said the Lieuten- 
ant, " Men, break open that door." 

' " Oh, don't, don't ! 'ndeed the cannon aint in thar. Ther's 
nothin in thar but bacon." 

Chorus of w^omen : — " 'n' that's the truth." 

But, finding the Lieutenant inexorable, the old man trem- 
blingly suggested to his excited spouse that perhaps she had 
better give up the key. Accordingly she drew it from her 
truthful bosom. The party now moved toward the smoke- 
house, the old woman blowing a perfect hurricane : — 

" Tell yer, 'taint thar. Never had no cannon," &c., &c. 
" Breakin' down my property ! Whar's yer right ? Yer aint 
got no business." Storm Avaxes louder. " Oh, yer durned ras- 
cals ! Le' me be !" — " Tell yer, yer did. Yer struck a bayonet 
inter my ole man. 0-o-o-h ! Durn ! Durn !" 

At last the door of the smoke-house was opened and the 



28 

Lieutenant stepped in. A few pieces of bacon were all that 
met liis eye, and somewhat crest-fallen lie was about to depart, 
when one of tlie soldiers, running his bayonet down into the 
ground, struck it against a board. 
^ " Tliere ! What\ that ?" 

The old man trembled violently, but said he did not know. 

"Well," said the Lieutenant, " do you get a shovel double 
quick. I'll have you know." 

The shovel was brought, the old man was forced to dig, and 
presently the cannon was revealed — not indeed a splendid 
brass, rifled piece of ordnance : in fact, it was only an uncouth, 
nisty% almost worthless iron gun. But it was the cannon, nev- 
ertheless, which the soldiers had come for, and about which 
these people had so miserably lied. So it was hauled into the 
wagon. 

" ILive you ever fired that gun ?" asked the Lieutenant. 

" 'ndeed wehaint," answered the old sinner, evidently think- 
ing that an admission of having fired the piece would somehow 
aggravate his guilt. 

" Well, it looks as if it was going r>/f now." 

And go off it did, all Cavetown looking on, and the old wo- 
man blowing a perfect sirocco. 

That night at sunset the people of Cavetown probably heard 
the distant boom of their cannon fired in our camp at Hagers- 
town ; and, listening, we could almost hear the answering 
" O-o-o-o-h ! Durn ! Durn !" of the virago. 

CAMP BUCKINGHAM. 
July 4:th — Avffust ^Ih. 

Meanwhile theleft wingat Williamsport, under Major Birgo, 
were leading a dififerent sort of life. Not having so nmch out- 
side service to perform they had more time for drill, and, un- 
der the faithful training of the Major, they soon obtained very 
creditable proficiency. 

The first encampment was not a pleasant one, being in a 
high, sliadeless, open field, and at a considerable distance from 
the water ; but some of these disadvantages would be almost 



29 

fitoned for by tlie mni^nificent view which this risi 112: i]i;i'oinid 
atibrdecl, extending for miles along the valley of the Potomac, 
and bounded by the noble mountains of the Northern Range. It 
was the singular beauty of this view, together witli other na- 
tural advantages, which so impressed Washington as to lead 
him at one time to recommend the present site of Williams- 
port for the seat of the federal government. But, after en- 
joying the landscape and the gorgeous sun-sets for a fortnight, 
the Major moved the seat of his government down into the or- 
chard of a seedy old plantation, one of those relics of the form- 
er civilization of the South, the residence on which, although 
much dilapidated, still afibrded superior accommodations for 
board. 

This camp was very pleasant, and exceedingly well regulated, 
so that those who wanted to escape the guard and go into the 
town were at their wits end for expedients. One instance of 
this is worth relating : 

Lilly was an old soldier, up to all the tricks, and having 
withal a high appreciation of the stomachic properties of whis- 
ky. This article could not be procured in town ; and heavy 
penalties were inflicted on those who were detected in bring- 
ing it into camp. Waiting till after tattoo, when the counter- 
sign was given out, Lilly would put on his accoutrements, take 
liis musket, go to some portion of the lines near the oflicer's 
quarters, and, watching his chance, would contrive to slip in 
between two sentinels, walking on a portion of their beats so as 
to make each think that he was the other. Presently an officer 
would come along. 

" Halt !" cries Lilly. " Who goes there ?" 
" Friend, with the countersign." 
" Advance, friend, and give the countersign." 
The officer advances, whispers "Falling waters," and passes 
on. Lilly then slips away, returns to his tent, doffs his ac- 
coutrements, takes his canteen, and starts out across the lines. 
" Halt !" calls the sentinel. " Who goes there ?" 
" Friend, with the countersign. Be aisy now." 
" Advance, friend, and give the countersign." 



30 

" Sure, an' its ' Fallin' waters,' it is ; an' bad luck to ye now, 
if jc tell." 

According to liis instructions the guard would be obliged to 
let liim pass ; and many a night did Lilly thus go out of camp 
and return with a full canteen, without detection. 

The left wing also had its share of rumors, conspiracies, and 
excitements. 

When General Patterson withdrew his troops from Martins- 
burg, on his advance toward (Charleston, the former place was 
thrown into a state of great alarm. Many Union families, who 
had displayed the stars and stripes so long as our army was 
there, took them down wlien the last regiment departed. But 
one man courageously kept his flying. Tlie same afternoon an 
officer of Stuart's rebel cavalry, in full uniform, rode into the 
town, took tliis flag, and trampled on it in the public street. 
He also left behind him, as he I'ode away, threats of vengeance. 
Rumors were thereupon freely circulated that Stuart's cavalry 
were to come and burn the town, and a number of people, 
men, women, and children, left in all haste for Williamsport, 
and besought the Major commanding our forces there for help. 
On consultation with the ofiicers of a Virginia regiment, at 
that time being organized in "VYilliamsport, the Major con- 
cluded to send a detachment of one hundred and flfty men, 
mostly of our regiment, and gave the command to Captain 
Kellogg. 

The party waded the Potomac about ten o'clock P. M., and 
pushed on rapidly. After marching about two miles and a 
half, the advance guard was halted by the pickets of a small 
force of loyal Virginians, who Avere out protecting their crops 
from the secesh guerrillas. These pickets confirmed the ru- 
mors, and said that they expected every moment to see the 
lio;lit of the burnino; town. Our men went forward now 
almost on the double-quick, and performed the whole march, 
a distance of thirteen miles, in two hours and a half, the last 
hour in a terrific storm of thunder, lightning, hail and rain. 

Our usual luck — of course, the rebels did not venture out ; and 
the next day General Patterson sent a very perem].)tory order for 
our men to go back. So back they went, through the mud, to 



31 

Williamsport, consoling themselves with the splendid time 
they had made on their forced march, and with \vliat they 
would have done, if ... . 

Here is a specimen of the way they got up excitements at 
Camp Buckingham : — 

It was reported that on a certain night the secessionists of 
Williamsport and the vicinity were going to rise in their 
might and massacre everybody. Yery naturally everybody 
became alarmed, and insisted that something must be done. 
Accordingly the military dignitaries, the number of whom had 
just been increased by the accession of a Maryland regiment, 
put their heads together, and devised a plan to meet, over- 
throw, and utterly bring to naught the threatened outbreak of 
secession. What this plan was does not appear. But it was 
agreed that the signal of alarm should Ije the firing of a single 
gun. So all Williamsport went to bed with both ears open. 

The selection of this signal was particularly felicitous, inas- 
much as every sentinel carried a loaded musket, and was ac- 
customed after dark to blaze away at every moving object 
that failed to give immediate and distinct answer to the chal- 
lenge. The chances, therefore, were, that before the night was 
out, secesli or no secesh, Williamsport would experience a 
sensation. 

For some hours all was quiet and lovely. Naught was 
heard save the click of boot heels, as the sentinels paced the 
silent streets. One after another tlie anxious inhabitants had 
dropped asleep, save a few of the more nervous ones, who were 
still saying their prayers in view of the impending massacre. 
When, suddenly, the town was shaken, as it were, by a terri- 
ble report. A luckless sentinel, crossing the street, had 
tripped on the curb-stone and fallen, and the lock of his gun 
had struck the pavement, causing the piece to explode. 

Immediately the whole town was in confusion. Sure 
enough, the massacre was about to begin. So everybody 
jumped out of bed, and ran into the street ; and there every- 
body was afraid of everj'body, and so ran away from every- 
body, and so ran into everybody. Meanwhile the long roll 



32 

was Leatcn in all the camps, and presently the troops came 
marching into town. Then the people were afraid of the 
soldiers, and the soldiers were afraid of the people ; that is, 
they were not afraid, you know, but they thought the people 
were the massacre ; and when the soldiers of the different 
regiments saw one another, each more than half suspected that 
the other was the enemy. And so the condition of affairs be- 
came more and more complicated, until, after rubbing noses in 
this way for a half an hour or so, everybody found out that 
they were all the same people that went to bed some hours be- 
fore with the expectation, indeed, of being massacred, but with 
no designs of massacring one another. Then everybody 
laughed and shook hands with everybody, and w-ished every- 
body good night, and went to bed again, still palpitating with 
the thought of how horrible it would have been if it had been 
a real massacre, but rejoicing that the tragedy had ended in a 
farce. 

The coming of the Maryland troops was to relieve the left 
wing of our regiment. But Major Birge remained in Williams- 
port long enough after their arrival for the officers and men of 
the two regiments to interchange civilities. The Mnryland 
regiment was under the command of Colonel Kenly, wdiose 
name has been mentioned so frequently of late for his gallant 
conduct in the affair at Front Tloyal, where he was wounded. 
Those of our officers who had tlie pleasure of meeting him at 
Williamsport will always remember to honor his high soldierly 
and gentlemanly qualities. 

The command at AYilliamsport was turned over to Colonel 
Kenly on the 9th of August, and the same day the left wing, 
now under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel White, was or- 
dered to Frederick city. They marched by way of Ilagers- 
town, stopping for a moment on the way to shake hands with 
us at Camp Abercrombie. 

On the road to Ilagerstown a serious accident happened to 
Goonan of Company E. While getting into a wagon, he 
caught the lock of his musket on the edge of a board, causing 
the discharge of the piece, by which he was severely wounded 



33 

in the groin. Suffering acutely he was brought into onr lios- 
pital, and from thence transferred to tlie general hospital in 
town. Here he lay till the order came to remove the general 
hospital to Frederick City, at Avhich time there seemed to be 
no prospect of his recovery. Accordingly, when the hospital 
was moved, he was left behind ; and, as the surgeon in chai'ge 
wished to have all thinirs straight in view of his proposed de- 
mise, a comfortable cofhn was got ready for him and stowed 
away under his bed. Tlie wrath of Goonan at this proceeding 
knew no bounds. He swore by all the saints that he was 
" worth a dozen dead men yet," and actually made good his 
oath by getting Avell, and rejoining his company at Fort Rich- 
ardson. 

HOSPITALS AND HOSPITALITY OF IIAGEESTOWN. 

While General Patterson was advancing into Virginia the 
general hospital of his division was stationed at Ilagerstown, 
occupying the Court House and the Academy building on the 
hill. Both these hospitals became very well known to our 
men, some of them being sent there wounded or sick, some to 
act as nurses, and others enjoying the privilege of standing 
guard outside. The laces of many of the patients are indeli- 
bly stamped upon my own mind from the repeated and often 
aifecting interviews I had with them. 

One man I particularly remember, a young Virginian, who 
had been taken prisoner at the battle of Falling Waters, and. 
had an eye shot out in the action. His case attracted much 
attention from the secession sympathizers in town ; and many 
were the little favors he received from them. One day a 
Southern lady forwarded to me through a mutual Union 
friend the sum of $5, with the request that I would give it 
to this man as coining from a lady who sympathized deeply 
with him and with his cause. This was faithfully done. The 
poor fellow looked up with his one eye and said : — -" Indeed, 
I'm much obliged to her for so much money. Tell her I'm a 
Union man, and that I never would have fought in that battle 
if they had n't made me." 

The same man went with the general hospital to Frederick 

3 



34 

City, and afterwards to Baltimore. In the latter place the 
secession ladies were still more demonstrative. A party came 
into the hospital one day and inquired if there were any Con- 
federate soldiers there, how they were treated, in what consid- 
eration they were held, &c., &c., their manner being very dic- 
tatorial and offensive. At last onr one-eyed friend, who had 
been standing with his back to the party all the while, turned 
abruptly round to them and said : — " Look at hyer ! I'm a 
Confederate soldier. I was taken prisoner in the battle of 
Falling Waters, and lost my eye there. And I think you 
onght to be sent to Fort McIIenry. I've seen enough of 
secesh treatment ; and I think it's worth while to lose an eye 
to get among decent people." 

The confusion and mortification of the ladies, as they hur- 
ried ont of tlie hospital after this rejoinder, can better be 
imagined than described. 

But to return to Hagerstown — 'nothing could surpass the 
bountiful and unwearied attention of the citizens of this place 
to the sick and wounded there. They seemed to vie with one 
anotlier in tlieir eftbrts to relieve the suffering ; and, at last, 
these efforts were so systematized that a full supply of proper 
nourisliment and delicacies was daily distributed at both hos- 
pitals. Nor did they stop here, but sent repeatedly dainty 
articles of food and bouquets of flowers to the sick in our hos- 
pital in camp. Their hospitality also fairly overflowed. Our 
ofiicers vrere welcome everywdiere ; the men on provost-guard 
made any quantity of friends ; and when we came at last to 
take our leave, it seemed like a second going from home. 

But the inexorable order came. We were to report our- 
selves at Frederick City. Accordingly, on Friday, August 
16th, at two o'clock P. M., the Cavetown gun was fired ; and 
before the smoke had lifted, the flag had been hauled down, 
every tent had been struck, and we were soon on the inarch 
through the town. The doorways and windows were crowded 
with friendly faces, as we passed along. The stars and strij)es 
were waved from nearly every house. Many a hearty " Good- 
bye !" and " God bless you !" was interchanged between us. 



35 

And tliat niglit, as we l)ivouacked late after a toilsome inareli, 
lying some on the grass by the road-side, and some with the 
mules in the road, the sympathizing heavens wept great tears 
of rain npon us, till we were drenched to the very skin. 

FREDERICK CITY, CAMI' AT TUE BAKRACKS. 

Auffiist \1th — list. 

Next morning, after a long march through the rain, we 
reached Frederick and found the other half of the regiment 
comfortably encamped in the grounds belonging to the old 
Barracks. In the centre of the field stood a tall flac:- staff 
having a platform raised around its base ; and in front of this 
were stationed two or three old-fashioned, time worn pieces of 
artillery. There were some interesting traditions connected 
with the Barracks and with these old pieces —enough to make 
us feel that we were on historic ground ; but what these were 
I do not now remember. The principal events of interest 
during our stay here, were the shoeing of the left wing by the 
kindness of Lieutenant-Colonel White, and several interesting 
arrests of suspicious characters. 

But the Barracks were intended to be used as a general hos- 
pital, and we were accordingly ordered to vacate the premises 
and leave them to the medical department. Accordingly a 
new camping ground was selected about a mile and a half 
from town, and on the 21st of August we moved out to it. 

CAMP KENNEDY, AT THE WHITE OAK SPRINGS. 

Augaat list — September '1th. 

This camp was in a grove of noble white oak trees, skirted 
by a clear running stream, beyond wdiich was another spacious 
grove often used in days gone by for camp-meetings. Beside 
the stream there were abundant springs, from which and the 
oaks the place derived its name. It was a favorite resort of 
the town's people for picnics, and the spot where the students 
of a Catholic institution in town were wont to ply their solemn 
recreations. The open lots east of the camp formed a spacious 



36 

parade-ground, while orchards and fields of ripening corn 
were in convenient proximity. 

^sthetically considered Camp Kennedy was certainly snpe- 
rior to any camp we ever occupied. The tents were pitched 
irregularly, but in a most picturesque manner, among the 
trees ; and numerons rustic arbors, shelters, and wigwams 
were constructed by the men for their accommodation. Then 
at night what glorious bonfires we used to kindle ! How they 
shone on the groups of men around, gleamed over the white 
tents, and lit up the under side of the leaves and branches 
overhead ! And how beautifully the moon-light glowed over 
the whole scene 1 And how the katy-dids did sing ! But our 
worthy Surgeon has a spite against the place for bringing so 
many patients into the hospital, and giving him, moreover, a 
bit of fever and ague for his personal enjoyment. 

It may not be amiss to state here that there was at that 
time, and is still, existing in our regiment an organization 
called " the Surgeon's Brigade." Once in a while a poor 
fellow would be brought into this by force of circumstances, 
but generally the volunteer system prevailed. The i-ecruiting 
oflice was opened every morning at nine o'clock, and so long as 
French was cook in the hospital, or whenever any work was to 
be done, the crowd of applicants was very great. The Doctor, 
however, would have none but disable-bodied men in his brig- 
ade ; and, as each recruit was obliged to undergo a rigorous 
physical examination, the Doctor's labors so increased with the 
crowd of volunteers, that, at last, he very properly got out of 
patience. 

" There's no sense in having so much sickness," says he, as 
he returns the last two typhoids to duty and closes his tent in 
the face of a half a dozen coughing, shaking, rheumatic and 
stomach-aching men. 

But the men took a different view of the case. 

" What's the use of having a Surgeon to the regiment, if a 
fellow can't be sick ?" says one, as he swallows the last of a 
pocket-full of green apples, and bends over double with the 
colic. In this state he reports himself at the Surgeon's tent. 



37 

"What have you been eatini^?" inquires the Doctor, run- 
ning through at a ghmcc the diagnosis of the case. 

" G-g-g-a-a-ow ! — green apples," gasps the sufferer, evidently 
in the last agonies of inward distress. 

" Well ! go 'long and eat some more !" 

TUE BATTLE OF WUrrE OAK SPRINGS. 
August '2',]d. 

As might well be imagined, the irregular life which the reg- 
iment had been obliged to lead during the summer — it having 
been completely broken up, and its parts often widely scatter- 
ed — had tended very seriously to its demoralization. There 
were also many grounds of discontent. Before leaving home 
the companies, I know not on what authority, had been led to 
expect that they were to be armed with rifles, but had been 
sent off, except the two flank companies, with the ordinary 
musket. This was an everlasting subject of complaint. Then, 
too, the men had received no pay since their first arrival in 
Hagerstown, Avhen Colonel Irish paid them the bounty money 
from the state ; and, as this was all gone, and the Frederick 
merchants didn't like to trust, there was much complaint, es- 
pecially from those addicted to the use of whisky and tobacco. 
Moreover their clothes were all worn out, and there seemed to 
be no prospect of getting any more. Scarce two men in the 
regiment had hats or shirts alike ; coats had long been discard- 
ed ; and many Avere obliged to appear, even on dress parades, 
lightly and airily attired in simple under clothing. This state 
of aftairs was not exactly that for which our patriotic volun- 
teers enlisted, and bitter was the discontent that it occasioned. 

Meanwhile, all sorts of rumors were circulated through the 
camp, among them one to the effect that the regiment v/as to 
be " slicked up " and sent to Washington to be the body-guard 
of General Scott ; another, that the regiment was to be mus- 
tered out of the service and sent home. This last was, to say 
the least, the most plausible of the two, and was strengthened 
by several blank muster-out rolls being sent on from Washing- 
ton in place of those on which the men were to receive their 



38 

pay. Oil all these points tlie men could get no satisfactory in- 
formation from their officers, and at last a plan was set on foot 
to extort it from them. 

On the morning of the 23d of August, just three months 
from the date of their being mustered in. Company K, with a 
large number of disaffected men from other companies, in all 
about two hundred, marched out with their arms on the pa- 
rade-ground, and formed themselves in line facing the camp. 

Colonel Woodhouse finished his breakfast, and then directed 
Captain Kellogg to arrest K Company. 

" Shall I fire on them, if necessary ?" inquired the Captain. 

"Yes," answered the Colonel; "shoot them down." 

Accordingly the Captain, having ordered his men to load 
and fix bayonets, marched them out on the right flank of the 
line of mutineers. He then ordered the Captain of Company 
K to take his men and report at once to the Colonel. But the 
men sullenly refused to shoulder arms. 

"Well," said Captain Kellogg, "you may take your choice. 
You'll either report to the Colonel or be shot." Then turning 
to his own men he hoarsely gave the command : 

" Company B — Ready !" 

Seeing that the aff'air was likely to become serious, most of 
the mutineers had already dispersed. Company K alone had 
pluck to stand their ground. But they had expected nothing 
of this sort. Their guns, except in case of those who had been 
on guard, were not loaded ; and, before the command to aim 
was given, they brought their pieces to the shoulder, and 
marched into camp. 

For this little episode tliey were treated to a visit to Gen- 
eral Banks; and, after a few weeks, rejoined the regiment 
at Darnstown. 

Tlius ended our first battle, in which, without any loss of 
life, we captured forty-three prisoners, and put down the rebel- 
lion. 

THE TEMPERANCE MEETING. 
September Isi. 

Another interesting incident connected with our sojourn in 
Camp Kennedy was the temperance meeting, which was held 



39 

on Sunday P. M., Septenil)or 1st. The following record of the 
proceedings was made at the time and puhlished : 

" The meeting being called to order by Chaplain E. A. 
Walker, Lieutenant-Colonel White was elected chairman, 
and Sergeant Twining, of Company A, secretary. 

" Colonel White, on taking the chair, remarked that the 
pledge now in circulation was not strong enough, and wished 
for something more binding. This pledge Avas as follows : 

" ' We, the undersigned, members of the Fourth Regiment of 
Connecticut Volunteers, desiring to promote the welfare, good 
character, and efficiency of the regiment by every means in 
our power, do hereby pledge ourselves to abstain from all in- 
toxicating drinks, except when necessary as medicine, so long 
as we are connected with this regiment.' 

" This form of expression was objected to because the excep- 
tion left too great an opportunity for violating the spirit of the 
pledge. Colonel White accordingly substituted the following 
oath, which he administered with uplifted hand to the assem- 
bly : 

" ' I do solemnly swear that, so long as I am connected 
with this regiment, I will not taste a drop of intoxicating 
drink, unless by the advice of one of the Surgeons of the regi- 
ment, so help me God !' 

" This oath was taken by nearly all present. The meeting 
w^as then addressed by Lieutenant Mix, of Company I. In the 
course of his remarks he appealed to the men not to wait for 
their officers, but to shame them by coming forward and 
showing that they, at least, were men of principle. 

" Captain Sipprell, of Company K, followed, advocating the 
movement. 

" The pledge, as altered to coincide with the oath administer- 
ed, w^as then presented to the meeting, the chairman first sign- 
ing it, and following its signature with remarks urging the ne- 
cessity of this step upon all present. 

" After the presentation of the pledge, while the regimental 
band was playing, a quantity of tracts, furnished by the Amer- 
ican Temperance Union, was distributed. 

"Sergeant Hubbard, of Company F, a Son of Temperance, was 



40 

tlicn called, and made a strong, sensible speech, testifying to 
the great advantages which he had derived from being strictly 
temperate, and citing many instances of the evil eiiects of in- 
temperance which had come under his observation in the regi- 
ment. 

" Lieutenant Turner, of Company II, was then called on. He 
declined speaking at length, but said he had signed the pledge, 
and should stick to it. 

" Lieutenant Hubbard, of Company II, followed in a few re- 
marks in favor of the movement. He stated that, with the ex- 
ception of a single corporal, all the officers and most of the 
men of Company H had signed the pledge. 

"Lieutenant Harmon, of Company F, being called, urged the 
subject upon the attention of tlie regiment in earnest, forcible 
language, giving his own experience since joining the regiment, 
and stating his strong resolution to keep the pledge. 

" Major Birge, being called on, said : " Mr. Chairman, my 
speech is written in the pledge on the paper before you, and 
my name is signed to it." 

" After another piece b}^ the band, the Chaplain reminded the 
regiment, in view of the approaching pay day, that all money 
put into his hands would be forwarded to Kew Haven, and de- 
posited in the Savings Bank ; and urged the men to save their 
money in this way, rather than to scatter it through the various 
avenues of dissipation by which they were surrounded. 

" The meeting was then closed with a benediction. 

" A. II. Twining, Secretary T 

A PERSONAL INCIDENT. 

I beg pardon here for introducing a personal incident, which 
may, however, from its singularity, be of interest. 

A few years since, while a student at the university of Ber- 
lin, I formed the acquaintance of the Rev. Thomas W. Kemp, 
a young clergyman of the Lutheran Church, who was at that 
time attending lectures at the university. He was a gentle- 
man of most engaging manners, fine education, extensive 
travel, enthusiastic in his studies, and withal of such pure and 
oyous Christian spirit that he won my most afiectionate es- 



41 

teem, and I was liappy to be numbered on his list of friends. 
lie left me at the university, promising to write immediately 
on his arrival in this country, and to visit me in New Haven on 
my return. But from the day he left Berlin I never heard 
from him, nor could I learn his whereal)outs in any way. His 
native state was Maryland, but he had labored for some 
time in Chicago, and I imagined he might again be there, ab- 
sorbed in his ministerial duties. It afterward appeared that he 
had been prevented by sickness from writing until it was too 
late to address me at Berlin, and again by the same cause from 
writing to me after my return. 

While our regiment Avas quartered at Ilagerstown, I in- 
quired repeatedly after a family of the name of Kemp, but 
could learn of none nearer than Baltimore. One morn- 
ing, while on a visit of a day or two at Hagerstown, just 
before we left Camp Kennedy, I inquired again particu- 
larly, but with no better success. The same day I return- 
ed to Frederick. It was a long, hot, dusty ride ; and, as I 
turned into the by-road, or " dirt road," as they call them 
there, about a mile and a half from camp, tired of the 
saddle, I dismounted, fastened up the reins, and intimated 
to Bokir that he might go on ahead to camp, while I would fol- 
low at my leisure. Accordingly he trotted off, and I had no 
doubt that he had gone directly to the camp, until, coming up 
to a long lane leading to a private house, I saw a boy riding 
him down toward the road. 

" Did your horse get away from you, sir ?" he inquired, as 
he rode up. 

" iSTo. I sent him on ahead to go to the camp ; but it seems 
he doesn't know the way." 

So, after thanking the boy for his trouble, I mounted again 
and concluded to ride the rest of the way. I had already pro- 
ceeded some distance, when the boy ran after me, and called 
out : 

" If you'll come back with me, I'll show you a shorter way 
to the camp, through our orchard and on through the woods." 

I thanked him, but declined his offer, as the camp was not 
fixr off' ; but thinking afterward that, since he had taken the 



42 

trouble to rnn after me, it would be more polite to accept it, I 
rode back to him, and proceeded with him up the lane. As 
we drew near the house he invited me to alight, and added, 
" My uncle, Mr. Kemp, would be glad to see you." 

" AVliat name did you say ?" 

"Mr. Kemp. Yonder he is." 

I looked ; but the tace was strange to me. I then inquired, 
"Did you have a cousin, or any relative named Kemp, who 
was in Europe several years ago V 

" Oh, yes sir," he replied, " my uncle Tom was there. He 
traveled in the Holy Land, and all about." 

" And where is he ?" 

" He's here, sir. But he's very sick. He's got the con- 
sumptio]!, and is dying now." 

In a few moments I was standing at the bedside of my old 
friend, enjoying a most affecting interview with him. The 
fact seemed scarcely credible. Here for weeks my tent had 
been pitched within pistol shot of his abode ; and by what a 
chain of merest chances, as they seemed, I had been led to 
him ! It was, indeed, true that he was dying. The disease 
had done its fatal work. The spirit was waiting joyfully to be 
released from that emaciated, suffering form. Beautiful were 
the words he uttered, so kind and gentle in his intercourse 
with those about him, so pleasant when lie spoke of days gone 
by and called to mind the friends that we had known abroad, 
so full of bright hopes of the future world, and confidence in 
God. Precious were the hours I sj^ent with him during the 
few days that intervened, before we broke up camp. And 
never may I forget his last words to me, as I bent over him to 
receive his parting blessing: — "My brother, I shall watch for 
you in Heaven." 

He died on the 15th day of September, 18G1, aged 80 years. 

FEOM WinXE OAK SPKINGS TO DAENSTOWN. 
September 1th — dth. 

On Friday evening, September Gth, Colonel Woodhouse re- 
turned from Washington with orders to report without delay 
to Cleneral Banks. Accordingly, next morning, at nine o'clock, 
tents Avere struck and the regiment got under Avay. We took 



43 

tlie road tlirougli Buclveyestown and along by the Monocracy 
till wo came to the cross-roads by tlic three springs, where avc 
turned to the left, and M'ont around under Sugar Loaf Moun- 
tain. Here we bivouacked, having inarched about ten miles. 
Up on the mountain was a signal station, from which, during 
the night, lights were continually displayed. 

Xcxt morning reveille sounded at half past four o'clock, 
and, after a hasty breakfast, we climbed a shoulder of the 
mountain, passed through Barnesville, and, about nine o'clock, 
halted for the Avagons to come up. These appeared at three, 
P. M., M'hen we set out again and marched some six or eight 
miles further to a cluster of houses not far from General 
Banks' head-quarters. Here we turned off into a grove of 
pines, and prepared to bivouac again. Our wagons did not 
arrive till late. 

One incident of this night I will take the liberty to chroni- 
cle: — 

now THE QUAETERMASTEE HELD HIS HOESE. 

I must premise that the Quartermaster had a great black 
spider or a small black boy, named Stephen, wdioni he kept 
nominally as a servant, but in fact rather as an object on 
which to practice his uncommon powers of discipline. Ste- 
phen's only merit was his cheapness, kicks and half-pence being 
reckoned as of equal value in his monthly pay. His chief 
characteristic as a servant was absence of mind and body 
when any w'ork was to be done, and intense presence of the 
same at meal time. In vain the Quartermaster reasoned and 
expostulated w^itli him. In vain he commanded and threat- 
ened. Stephen would writhe, and grimace, and make promi- 
ses ; but his long legs would soon take him out of bounds 
again, and when the Quartermaster Avanted somebody to hold 
his horse, Stephen would be nowhere to be found. 

At last, the Quartermaster got a large wooden box, placed it 
at the door of his tent outside, and made Stephen sit in it 
from morning till night. Miserable boy ! There he remained 
with head and knees projecting, grinning abjectly at the 
passers by, but still watching his chance for mischief or for 
sport. 



The siglit of him in this pitiable condition touched the lieart 
of a good lady visiting the camp, and interested her most 
deeply in his behalf. She determined to attempt his reforma- 
tion on a new plan. Accordiiigl)^, having made a gorgeous 
many-colored cap with a long dangling tassel, she let Stephen 
out of tlie box, and gave him tlie cap /or heh^g good. Stephen 
was naturally very much surprised, but manifested extravagant 
symptoms of joy. He wriggled and threw " his limpsy legs 
about, chattered and grinned, and at last, making bold to face 
the Quartermaster himself, he pointed to his cap and said in 
a tone half reproachful and half of patronizing admonition : — 
" Dar ! Marsr Washb'n, noio yer see wot comes fum bein' a 
good boy." 

On the night of which we are speaking, the Quartermaster 
being detained by looking after the wagons, Stephen, in his 
many-colored cap, was frolicking all around among the men. 
But when the Quartermaster appeared, tired almost completely 
out, Stephen was nowhere to be found. Everybody had seen 
him, but nobody knew where he was. Accordingly the Quar- 
termaster dismounted, led his horse off to one side under a 
clump of cedar trees, and, seating himself on the ground, held 
on to the bridle, consoling himself by thinking what new spe- 
cies of torture he could inflict on the incorrigible boy for this 
most aggravated offense. 

Meanwhile, the field and staff had kindled an elegant fire 
and were disposing themselves on camp-stools and blankets for 
the night's repose, wondering, by the way, what had become 
of our Quartermaster. 

Scarcely were we comfortably settled, when Stephen crept 
stealthily up, and, not seeing his master, sat down to toast his 
shins before the fire. Kesting his head upon his knees, he rolled 
his eyes around the circle about the fire, till, suddenly, a bright 
idea entered his mind. Why shouldn't he have camp-stools 
and blankets as well as any otlier dignitary ? So, going to the 
M'agons, he got out the Quartermaster's bed and bedding, and, 
bringing them to the fire, arranged a luxurious couch near to 
the Colonel's and the Major's. Then, looking about with a 
leer and a chuckle, he pulled his certificate-of-good-behavior 



45 

cap down over his ears, crawled in between tlic blankett?, and 
tucked liimselt' np for the niglit. 

Next morning, in the cold gray hour, the Quartermaster 
wokcy chilled to the very marrow, stiff in the knees and a(;hing 
in every joint, but his lingers still grasping the bridle of his 
horse. In tliis condition he made his way to the fire, wliere 
Stephen was just rousing himself from his delicious sleep. The 
recognition between master and servant was mutual ; but each 
was too much overcome by his feelings to speak. If either, 
Stephen had the advantage, since, being thoroughly refreshed 
by his night's repose, he was likely to escape all eiforts on the 
part of his master to punish him as he deserved. 

But the nature of his offense was too serious to be overlooked. 
It was deemed an outrage on the discipline and etiquette of the 
camp. The feelings of the field and staff were roused. An 
informal court-martial was immediately held. Stephen was 
tried, convicted and condemned ; and, accordingly, was taken 
by the head and heels and roasted alive over the fire ! ! ! 

now THE CHAPLAIN HELD THE QUAETEEMASTER's HORSE, 

It was the morning after this affair of the Quartermaster. 
We were now in immediate vicinity of the arniy of the She. 
nandoah, and the Quartermaster and the Chaplain went on in 
advance to select a suitable place for the camp. After riding 
two or three miles, and examining several vacant fields, the 
Quartermaster found one exactly adapted to his wants, on the 
side of a gently sloping hill, bordered along the ridge by a 
thick wood, and having a stream of runnino; water at its base. 
The regiment was supposed to be coming steadily on, and, 
meanwhile, the Quartermaster began to lay out the camp. 
But after waiting a long time, as the regiment did not appear, 
the Quartermaster concluded to go on foot and look it up, 
leaving his horse with the Chaplain, who was to await his 
return. 

So off he went, and found the regiment just going into camp 
in a field some mile and a half back, having been headed off 
and directed thither by an orderly from General Banks. This 
field was adjacent to that occupied by the thirteenth Massa- 



46 

cliusetts regiment, whose officers politely invited ours to din- 
ner so soon as our tents were pitched. 

This dinner appears to have been an elegant affair, embra- 
cing many dishes not usually seen in camp, and doubly welcome 
to our officers after their three days march and two nights in 
the open air. The Quartermaster enjoyed it with especial zest, 
as his ride and walk had given him an excellent appetite, and 
for several days he had eaten nothing but hard bread and 
Bologna sausage. 

At last one of the Massachusetts officers came over from our 
camp saying that he had been hunting everywhere for the 
Chaplain, but could not find him. 

" The Chaplain !" exclaimed the Quartermaster, checking 
himself as he was about putting to his mouth a delicious 
morsel of fried chicken ; " sure enough ! He's off here in the 
woods a mile or so holding my horse." 

This was followed by a general laugh; and, as the dinner 
progressed, all manner of jokes were cracked at the Chaplain's 
expense. 

Meanwhile, the unfortunate Chaplain waited. First he got 
up on the fence and waited to see the head of the regiment 
appear over the hill. Then he got down and led the horses 
into the woods. Then he unsaddled his own horse, spread the 
blanket on the ground and, w^itli the saddle for a pillow, took 
a nap, "When he awoke, he was very hungry ; the sun was in 
a strange part of the sky ; but still no signs of the regiment. 
So he rummaged in the valise on the Quartermaster's saddle 
after something to eat, and found a little end of a Bologna 
sausage. This he cut in two, and ate half, saving half for the 
Quartermaster, Then he climbed up on the fence and watched 
a long while. Then he went to work and made a wigwam in 
the woods, and cut sticks for a bed. Then, to save himself 
from starving, he ate the rest of the Bologna. 

At last there was a rustling in the branches and the Quarter- 
master appeared walking leisurely along and picking his teeth, 
as a man does after a good dinner. 

" Hullo, Chaplain." 

"Well, I think it's about time. Where is the regiment?" 



47 

"Gone into camp back here a mile and a half." 

"AVliy didn't you send me word?" 

" Couldn't. Had too much to do." 

"Well, Quartermaster, — I'm sorry — but — the fact is — to 
keep myself from starving — I ate — that little piece of sausage.'' 

" Oh, pshaw ! — that's nothing. I've been to dinner." 

" To dinner !" 

" Yes. The Massachusetts fellows invited us over and gave 
us a capital treat. They were inquiring after you." 

" I wish I'd been along. What did you have ?" 

" Lager beer." — 

Here the two gentlemen mounted their horses. 

" Bean soup." — 

The Chaplain touched his horse into a trot. 

" 'nd fried chicken." — 

The trot became a canter. 

" 'nd fricandeau de boeuf." — 

The canter lengthened into a gallop. 

"'nd pickled oysters and all sorts of vegetables." — 

The Chaplain spurred his horse into a run. 

" 'nd plum duff 'nd Charlotte Russe, 'nd — Sa-a-ay, Chap- 
lain!" 

But the Chaplain did not wait to hear more, nor did he 
slacken speed until he reached the dinner table, where he be- 
held the remnants of the Quartermaster's sumptuous repast. 
There was no more soup. The fricandeau de boeuf had given 
place to fried beef, tough and cold ; the vegetables to cold pota- 
toes and hard bread, which, with a cup of tea to wash them 
down, were all that the Chaplain got after his hard ride. 

"How did you enjoy your dinner?" asked the Quarter- 
master of the Chaplain, as he met the latter going back to 
camp. 

A mild look of reproach was the Chaplain's only reply ; but 
I suspect that in his heart he was at that moment guilty of 
murder. 

In conclusion, I must say that I do not think this story is so 
good as the one before it. But the Quartermaster likes it, and 
I tell it for his sake. 



48 



RESIGNATION OF COLONEL WOODHOUSE. 

On the morning of September ninth, just before we reported 
to General Banks, Colonel Wooclhouse turned over the com- 
mand of tlie regiment to Lieutenant-Colonel White. This step 
liad been for sometime contemplated by the Colonel, as his con- 
tinued ill-health had long prevented him from taking a very 
active part in the drill and discipline of the regiment. We 
parted from him with regret, as his uniform kindness to the 
men, and his undoubted ability as an officer, had won our sin- 
cere esteem. 

CAMP LYON. 
Sept. dill— Oct. 2d. 

It was a memorable day for us when our eyes first beheld 
the army of the Shenandoah. Hitherto our experience of 
army life had been limited to the confines of a single regiment 
or two. We had never seen more than a few thousand troops 
together. But here was an army of some 25,000 men, collect- 
ed within the compass of about five square miles. As we 
marched along the road new camps continually appeared — in- 
fantry, cavalry, and light artillery. Every hill was covered 
with white tents. Begiments were out drilling in the fields. 
Long lines of army wagons were moving over the roads. Ev- 
erything gave evidence of active service. Among the various 
uniforms we presently recognized the old state button, and 
found ourselves hailed by the Connecticut Fifth, then under 
Colonel Ferry. Passing by General Banks' headquarters, 
guarded by authentic French Zouaves, we turned to the right 
up a gentle rise of ground, passed several camps of cavalry and 
infantry, and found ourselves on the field assigned to us, ad- 
joining that of the Massachusetts Thirteenth, with which regi- 
ment we were brigaded under General Llamilton. 

Evenings from our encampment the distant lights and camp 
fires looked like the lights of some vast city ; and the music of 
the different bands was heard from sunset until long after 
tattoo. 

I will not dwell on the incidents of our stay at Camp Lyon. 
The most prominent are, the visit of Generals Banks and Ham- 



49 

ilton to our rer>;iinent on the 13th ; the imposing services on 
Fast Day, the 26th ; the arrival of our new Colonel, R. O. Ty- 
ler, on the same day; and the grand review of 15,000 men by 
General Banks on the 1st of October. 

ARRIVAL OF COLONEL TYLER. 
Sept. 2(jth. 

The arrival of Colonel Tyler marks a new era in the history of 
the regiment, widely differing in character from that which we 
have been considering. With him begins our " army life," prop- 
erly so called. He found the regiment, compnred with what he 
made it, an uneducated and undisciplined body of men. It 
was his task to make soldiers out of them. How \vell he has 
succeeded the appearance of the regiment to- day will testify. 

It was on the 26th day of September that our new Colonel 
arrived at Darnstown and took command of the regiment. He 
saw at a glance that rigid discipline was needed and com- 
menced at once a system of inspection which brought every 
man in the regiment under his immediate personal observation. 
Every night he visited the guards in person, questioning each 
as to his instructions and duties. Every morning at guard- 
mounting he assisted, inspecting every musket, correcting faults 
in position, and trying to give to the men a soldierly bearing. 
True he had rather a motley set to begin with, there being no 
uniform coats and but few presentable pants in the regiment ; 
but wherever an effort at neatness was made, the Colonel's eye 
perceived it and a compliment was sure to follow. Even the 
man that put a coat of blacking on his feet in lieu of shoes was 
thus rewarded for his pains, and, though destitute of pantaloons, 
marched off with the air of a major-general. Few will forget 
that first Sunday morning inspection on the 29th, when the 
muskets which had been rubbed up expressly " for the new 
Colonel" to inspect were pronounced "filthy," "not fit to be 
seen ;" and when, after cautiously handling one or two, the 
Colonel dismissed the men to clean their arms and have them 
ready for inspection that afternoon. Thus was a high standard of 
discipline introduced and ever afterward nxaintained, until the 

4 



50 

arms find accoutrements looked better than wlicn tliey left the 
manufacturer's hands, and in all points of neatness, order, and 
behavior, the regiment attained a degree of excellence seldom 
surpassed by regular troops. 

THE KEGENIENT TEANSFEBRED TO GENERAL McCLELLAN. 

On the morning of "Wednesday, October 2d, at nine o'clock, 
the men were ordered to pack their knapsacks. At eleven tents 
were struck, and the regiment took up its line of march for 
"Washington. The day was rainy and the roads were very 
bad — muddy, sticky, and slippery. But the march was admi- 
rably conducted and on principles entirely new to the regi- 
ment, it having been the custom on previous marches to de- 
j)loy skirmishers through all the adjacent corn fields and peach 
orchards and to straggle out behind so that tlie regiment would 
be several hours in passing a given point. But the men seem- 
ed mostly to enjoy the change and to begin to take pride in all 
that pertained to correct soldierly conduct. 

We marched almost eight miles that day, and camped about a 
mile north of Rockville. Next morning at half-past seven o'clock 
we set out again and marched nine miles to a hill-side clover 
lot a mile or two north of Tenallytown, where we went into 
camp, waiting to receive new uniforms and accoutrements. The 
last of these were given out on Sunday, Oct. 0th, and on the 
following morning it was thought prudent for the men to throw 
away all remnants of their previous dress, take a thorough 
bath in the brook, hurry on their new clothes and march off on 
the double quick for AVashington, The masterly strategy of 
this singular proposition can only be appreciated by those who 
are fully aware of the nature, number and position of the ene- 
mies with whom we had to contend. 

WASHINGTON. 
Oct. 1ih—9th. 

A pleasant march through the camps of the Pennsylvania 
Eeserve at Tenallytown, past the signal station, and through 
Georgetown, brought us to the capital city. Following New 
York Avenue out to the open ground northeast of the Capitol, 







51 

we went into eunip and waited here a day or two for further 
orders. 

Our iirst ni<2:ht in the camp at Washington is never to be for- 
gotten. It did rain awfully. The windows of heaven were 
opened and the fountains of the great deep were broken up. 
The grounds where we lay had been previously occupied by a 
camp ; and deep ditches had been dug aronnd each tent by the 
former occupants. With admirable discretion our tents were 
mostly pitched so that these ditches ran right through them, 
the consequence of which was that the sleepers awoke to find 
a rusliing, roaring stream of water running through their tents, 
under their beds, and threatening to sweep everything away in a 
tumnltuous freshet. Then the wind howled and raged. Ilail 
stones of large size fell. All hands had to turn out and hold 
on to the tents. Unable to lie down, the men at last formed 
groups around the tent poles, tied or held themselves together, 
and thus slept, exhausted with the labors of the day. 

But hark ! — In all the wildness of the storm what voice is 
that, that piteously calls on " Charley !" The howling winds 
sweep by, and again the cry of " Cha-a-a-r-ley !" but no answer 
save the pattering hail stones and the gurgling of the waters. 
" 0-o-o-o-h ! Cha-a-a-r-ley !" But Cliarley is fast asleep on 
the soft, sweet hay in yonder barn, and has no notion of com- 
ing out on such a night for any one. 

Next morning a certain officer of high rank was found in a 
tent not his own, seated on a trunk, hugging his bare knees, 
his teeth chattering with cold, but his countenance radiant with 
joy at what he felt to be an almost miraculous escape. The 
deluge had swept through his tent. The wind had blown it 
down. And the hail ' stones compelled liim to seek in haste 
another place of shelter. 

CAMP INGALLS. 
Oct. 9th— 29th. 

Leaving our nameless camp at ten o'clock on the morning of 
Oct. 9tli, we marched through Washington in handsome style, 
over Long Bridge, througli the fortifications, on to Fort Alba- 



52 

ny, where we turned to tlie left down tlie hill on the Alexan- 
dria road, and in a field in the valley this side of Fort Richard- 
son, again pitched our tents. The camp was named after Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Ingalls of the quartermaster's department, who 
was then stationed at Arlington House, and to whom our regi- 
ment, through Colonel Tyler, has since been indebted for many 
favors. 

Almost immediately — that is, on the following morning, 
" stump-grubbing " commenced, and formed a pleasant relax- 
ation from drill and other duties. The engineers were still at 
work upon • the fort, and a regiment of Michiganders, with 
others from neighboring camps, were employed in clearing the 
adjacent ground, as well as that about Fort Scott. Our men 
worked with these, and at last relieved them entirely. Com- 
pany A was detailed to guard the fort ; the other companies 
grubbed stumps. Colonel White's quarters were moved up on 
the hill ; and he superintended, with untiring energy, the work 
of clearing, until a space of at least ten acres was reclaimed from 
the wildness of a Yirginia forest, and made smooth and hard as 
a parlor floor. The compan_y streets were terraced to receive the 
tents ; and the whole constituted a matchless camp and parade 
ground. 

On the hill above the valley where we lay encamped, but at 
the foot of the still higher ground on which was the fort and 
the site of our future camp, were two seat looking cottages, 
which had been deserted by the occupants on the approach of 
the federal troops. One of these was appropriated for the 
regimental hospital ; and, on the 16th, the sick, wlio, owing to 
the bad w^eather and the low, damp ground of the camp, had 
been accumulating, were moved up into it. This house was 
used as a hospital during the following winter, and furnished 
such accommodations that all our sick remained w^ith the regi- 
ment, instead of being sent to the general hospitals in Washing- 
ton and Alexandria. 

The hospital tent tlius vacated afforded an excellent place 
for social prayer-meetings, which since our stay at White 
Oak Springs had been very irregular and at times neglected. 
But here, on the evening of the 22d, they were commenced 
again with renewed interest, and not without their good results, 



53 

for some wlio listen to me now will ever look back to those 
meetin<2;s in the hospital tent at Camp Ingalls, as the occasion of 
their first entering npon the Cliristian life. 

DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 

Other incidents of' our sojourn here are scarcely worth rela- 
ting. The weather grew colder. The leaves began to fall. 
Camp-fires became necessary ; and at last some of our old Cali- 
fornians began to make California ovens in their tents. A 
large trench was dug through the middle of the tent and covered 
with flat stones, and these again with earth, an o])ening being 
left in some convenient place through which the fire could be 
kindled and replenished. This opening would generally be 
covered with a movable cover of stone, sheet-iron, or wood. 
The trench opened above ground on either side of the tent, and 
at one of these openings several empty barrels would be piled 
up for a chimney, the other supplying fresh air to the fire. 
With these ovens we made ourselves comfortable in spite of 
the cold and rain. The flat stones once heated would retain 
their heat for a long time, and, as there was no opening inside 
the tent except the covered one, there could be no danger of 
the smoke being troublesome. Later in the winter, in the 
camp up by the fort, the tents were warmed Avith little 
sheet-iron stoves. But perhaps the pleasantest arrangement, 
especially in wall tents, is to have a regular fire-place and 
chimney built of brick or sod, one width of canvas being 
ripped open for the entrance. The bright, cheerful wood fire 
makes the tent at all times pleasant, reminding one of home. 
Secesh brick may generally be confiscated for the purpose, and 
Virginia mud answers very well for mortar. 

About this time too, we learned some other secrets of camp 
economy. The beds, with which most of the oflicers had pro- 
A'ided themselves on leaving home, had given out. Tlie iron ones 
were all bent out of shape ; to both iron and wooden the canvas 
was torn; the expensive "army trunks" were sure to have lost 
some essential part ;'and, now that we were to remain here or in 
the immediate vicinity, for considerable time, we began to cast 
about for other ways and means to secure our comfort in this 



54 

respect. Some made their beds by driving four crotclied sticks 
down into the ground for bed posts, connecting these by cross 
pieces at the head and foot, and laying on these a sufficient 
number of long, limber poles to constitute the bottom of the bed. 
These were then covered with branches of spruce, hemlock or 
pine, over which a buffalo or blanket would be throwm, making a 
bed which to the tired soldier was as welcome as the costliest 
couch could be to one at home. Others made frames out of 
old boxes, roped them with clothes lines, and for mattresses 
used sacks stuifed with hay or leaves. 

Stands for hats and clothing were made by cutting down 
small, closely-branching trees, trimming the brandies to the re- 
quisite length, and driving the stock down in a corner of the 
tent. This expedient is much preferable in wall tents to the 
usual way of stretching a roj^e overhead between the tent 
poles. 

But time would fail me to enumerate half the ingenious de- 
vices to make tent life more cosy and comfortable as cold 
weather drew on. Suffice it to say that we probably suffered 
far less from privations than our friends at home did by their 
sympathy and anxiety on our behalf. 

FOKT RICHAKDSON. 
Oct. 21th, 1861— April 2d, 1862. 

On the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 27th, orders were given to 
liave everything packed at fixtigue call, at which time we left 
our camp under the hill, and marched up to the cleared ground 
by the fort. Here were to be the w^inter quarters of the regi- 
ment, and in process of time we succeeded in making a camp 
not to be surpassed for beauty and comfort. Its beauty was 
not picturesque like that of Camp Abercrombie or the camp at 
White Oak Springs, nor was it set off with artificial decora- 
tions of evergreens, like many of the camps about us ; but it 
was the beauty of regularity and military style. Tlie location ' 
of the camp was the highest about Washington, commanding 
Munson's Hill and all the other forts, so tliat our tents and Aasc 
were visible from almost every point. 

The tents of the field and staflP just crowned the sum- 



55 

mit of the slope facing toward the Potomac. A little far- 
ther down came the line-officers' tents, and then, in beauti- 
fnlly regular rows, running in terraces down the slope of the 
hill, were the tents of the men. These last were bright 
new tents of the Sibley pattern, the old ones having been 
left behind when we moved our quarters from Camp In- 
galls. In front of the Colonel's tent was a broad parade 
ground running down parallel with the company streets, 
and dividing the two wings of the regiment. Opposite the 
tent, in the centre of this street, a flag-staff was erected, from 
which waved a large garrison flag. To the left of the camp 
was the fort w^itli its girdling abattis, the white barracks just 
showing in a long line above the earthwork, as you look at it 
from the front. Before the fort was the guard-house, built of 
logs and whitewashed ; and the grounds immediately around 
were generally ornamented with living statuary. 

At the foot of the first slope, down among the trees, was the 
wagon camp ; and further on toward the road, on the top of 
the second slope, were the two cottages before alluded to, one of 
which was used as the hospital, and the other for a time as 
regimental headquarters. 

The view from the summit of the hill is beyond my powers 
of description. I can only sketch it in outline. I remember 
it as we saw it first in the purple hues of autumn, — the deep 
red light of the setting sun glowing over the city, bringing out 
in bold relief the vast proportions of the Capitol, whose win- 
dows sparkled like gems, lighting up the majestic facade of 
the Treasury building, the unflnished shaft of the Washington 
monument, and the deep red feudal turrets of the Smithsonian 
Institute. Rising above a pile of buildings are the gables of 
the Post-office and Patent-office buildings. Down there on the 
right are the buildings of the navy-yard. Across that branch of 
the river, in deep light and shade, reminding one at this distance 
of some old mediaeval castle on the Danube, stands the Retreat. 
And then the river, broad and beautiful, sweeping past the city 
from the heights of Georgetown to the plain of Alexandria. 
Beyond the city, on the hills about, are pleasant country seats, 
but circling all, a girdle of forts, earthworks, and camps. On 



56 

this side are Fort Albany, tlie fortifications once before alluded 
to, and Fort Scott. As we turn toward the sunset, others rise 
on every side. Every hill is covered with an eartlnvork or 
crested with a camp. The plains in all directions are snowed 
on with tents. The hills beyond Fort Blenher and about the 
Fairfax Seminary are occupied by Franklin's troops. Blen- 
ker's German regiments are nearer, directly west ; and oif to 
the rio-ht, iust o'leaminii; throus-li the bare branches of the trees, 
are others whose names are unknown to us. Seldom does it 
fall to one to see so vast a military spectacle as Washington 
and the adjacent -country presented last winter. 

But the sun has gone down while we have been looking. 
The shadows fall over tlie dome of the Capitol. Camp iires 
gleam from the hill-sides, and reflect their glare on the cold 
clouds above. Orion is just heaving his shoulder above the 
eastern horizon. Let us go into the tent, draw up our camp- 
stools around the fire, and so discuss the memories of the past. 

Looking back over the five months spent at Fort Richard- 
son, the mind is confused with details that struggle for expres- 
sion. Time has not yet toned doM'n these memories into their 
relative light and shade. We see them, as in kaleidoscopic 
vision. Long lines of snow-white gloves, of glistening bayo- 
nets, of polished brass, and spotless uniforms, mixed up with 
carriage-loads of ladies, ofiicers on horseback, flags and cannon- 
smoke ; and, with these, soberer bits of glass in the shape of 
sling-carts, statuary, and spread eagles ; and again, stumps, 
picks, shovels, and the like, set oflf by mud and cold and wind ; 
and these again relieved by gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, 
lovely days and nights, and the ever changing, ever charming 
views from the summit of the hill. Turn the glass, and again 
we have the same things in different combinations. But in 
every scene may be detected the vigilant eye of our com- 
mander scrutinizing everything, approving every soldierly act 
or trait, and punishing with rigor each minute oftense against 
perfect military discipline. 



5Y 

There is no better way of getting a general idea of our life 
at Fort Kiehardson than by going through Avith a 

SUNDAY ]SI0RNING INSPECTION. 

This is always preceded on Saturday afternoon by a great 
washing, brushing and general rubbing np. Early in the 
morning the police are out sweeping up all the litter about the 
camp, and putting things in order. The men are putting the 
finishing touches on their boots, arranging their stocks, or 
searching for microscopic specks upon their uniforms. Soon 
after breakfast the detachments from Forts Barnard and Scott 
march over. Then the calls are beaten, the companies fall in, 
march out on the parade ground, and are formed in line of bat- 
tle by the Adjutant. 

Sometimes the inspection is preceded by a review, in which 
case the regiment may be marched over to the top of the hill 
as you go to Fort Scott, or down on the plain below on the 
left of the Alexandria road. 

When all is ready for the inspection to begin, the Colonel 
breaks the line of battle into column. The ranks are then 
opened. The Adjutant posts the color-guard in front of the 
column. The band takes position in the rear. The officers 
and sergeants then march to the front of their companies ; 
the field and staft' march to the front of the column. 

The Colonel begins by inspecting the dress and general ap- 
pearance of the field and staff, after which, accompanied by 
these, he passes down the open column, looking at every rank 
in front and rear. Every man must stand in precise attitude, 
head up, shoulders back, heels together. Woe to him who 
raises his hand, or rolls his eyes a hair's breadth from the front. 

The command is then given, Order Arms — Rest ! and the 
Colonel then proceeds to make a minute inspection of the sev- 
eral ranks, first the non-commissioned staff, then the color- 
guard, then the companies in order, each rank coming to atten- 
tion as he approaches it. The arms, accoutrements and dress 
of each man are carefully examined. 

" Where is your stock ?" asks the Colonel of a man who is 



. 58 

shrugging up liis shoulders and letting down his chin to hide 
the want of this essential article. 

" I haint got any collar." 

"Don't you call that tiling a collar. Call it a stock. — Ser- 
geant, take this man to the guard-house." 

" Button up your coat, sir," 

" This man's hair is too long. Captain, you will see that it 
is cut this morning," 

" Your position is very good, sir. You'll make a soldier." 

" Your musket is filthy, sir — and you too, sir. I've a mind 
to put you in the guard-house." 

" Are you sick ? — "Well, I am glad to see you out." 

And so he goes from man to man, noticing every point, 
every lost button, every speck of dirt, and meting out rebukes 
and approbation to the terror or delight of those who receive 
them. 

Then the ammunition and boxes are inspected. 

Then the arms are stacked. The front rank face about. The 
knapsacks are unslung, placed at the feet of the men, and 
opened so as to reveal their contents. There is as much order 
in packing a knapsack as in any other point of discipline. 
Everything must be put away just so. There must be neither 
too much nor too little. 

After this the companies proceed to their respective streets. 
The Colonel with his stajff goes down to the hospital. 

Here everything is in good order. The wards are clean. 
Many of the sick have beds ; others are lying on mattresses 
upon the floor. In some of the wards cheerful wood fires are 
burning. Thanks to the energy of our medical officers, the 
Sanitary Commission, and the kindness of friends at home, 
there is a liberal supply of bedding, liospital clothes, and all 
manner of medicines, comforts and delicacies for the sick. 

" I want my sick men to fare like princes of the blood," says- 
the Colonel. 

But woe to him who pretends to be sick. That man shall 
stand upon a barrel till he is made ?;ick indeed. 

Next the fort, barracks, magazine, guns, implements, &c., 
are inspected. The guard-house, sutler's tent and other places 



59 

are visited. Then tlic Colonel proceeds to the company 
streets. 

Here the men are formed in squads in front of their respect- 
ive tents, and remain without, while tlie interior of these is 
being inspected. And neat little places they are, some of 
them — nicely floored, furnished with stoves, fitted up with 
racks for arms and clothing, and ornamented with many in- 
genious devices. 

Finally the regimental. books and papers are inspected, as 
also those of the respective companies and those pertaining to 
any special department of the counnand. 

Then follows guard-mounting, and by this time it is twelve 
o'clock. " Roast beef' has been beaten. After dinner the 
men will rest from the fatigue of the forenoon. At two o'clock 
there will be a prayer-meeting in the chapel tent, and preach- 
ino; in the evenino;, 

Tlius the Sabbaths go by. 

From this it will be seen that the condition and character of 
the regiment has been almost totally reversed from what it was 
in Frederick City and Camp Kennedy. The men are thor- 
oughly provided with every article of military equipment. 
Rigorous discipline is enforced. Perfect order prevails. Seri- 
ous offenses are rare. Most of the punishments are for slight 
delinquencies. Drunkenness, gambling and obscenity are 
seldom seen — not that they do not occur, but they are kept 
concealed ; and the general appearance of the men is neat, or- 
derly and stylish. 

What is the secret of this ? 

It is constant, untiring, minute and critical inspection, fol- 
lowed up by rigorous discipline. 

ESrCIDENTS. 

Oct. 29th. Camp formed. 
" SOtli. New uniforms given out. 

" 31st. Review by Colonel Tyler and staff. Colonel 
Irish pays state bounty money. 



60 

Nov. 12th. Major Birge leaves for Connecticut, having been 
appointed Colonel of the 13tli regiment. 

Nov. 24th. Eeview by Colonel Green of the 13th Mass. 

" 28tli. Thanksgiving Day. Dinner in the barracks. 
Dec. 15th. First service in the cliapel tent. 
" 25th. Christmas. Camp decorated Avith evergreens. 
Arches at the head of the company streets, with letter of com- 
pany in some device. 

Dec. 28tli. Gov. Buckingham at di'ess-parade. 
" 30th. Review by Brigadier-General Keyes. 
" 31st. New Year's Eve. Dinner in the barracks. Gov- 
ernor Dntton and Lieutenant Dutton present. 

Jan. 2d, 1862. Regiment changed from infantry to lieavy 
artillery ; to consist of 12 companies of 150 men each, to 
have 3 Majors, and each company to have 4 Lieutenants. 

Jan. 7tli and 11th. Camp photographed by Brady, of Wash- 
ington. 

Jan. 13tli. Regiment paid off by Major Judd. 
" 16th. 

"Poor old soldier! Poor old soldier ! 
Tarred and feathered and sent to hell. 
Because he was a deserter." 

Feb. ISth. 21 guns fired in honor of recent victories. 
" 22d. Washington's birthday. Salute of 21 guns. Ex- 
tracts from Farewell Address read at dress-parade. 

Feb. 24th. Heavy gale. Tents blown down. Chapel tent 
down. Chimney of the hospital blown off. Blenker's Dutch- 
men flying through the air. 

March Ytli. Review by Mrs. Gen. McClellan and party. 
" lOtli. Advance on Manassas. 

" 12th. Companies II, E, K and G goto Fort Barnard, 
under Major Hemingway. Captain Kellogg takes command 
at Fort Scott, with companies A and B. The former having 
been there all winter. 

March 15th. Recruits arrive, among them two new com- 
panies, L and M. Great fun for the old men. 

March 17th. Review by His Excellency Governor Bucking- 
ham. 



61 

March IStli. Captain Kellogg and Adjutant Trumbull ap- 
pointed Majors, Major Kellogg to connnand at Fort Scott, 
Major Trumbull to remain at Fort Richardson. 

March 23d. Full dress inspection. Battalions over from the 
other Forts. General Tyler present. New state flag received 
with all the honors. 

April 2d. Break up camp. 

THE CHAPEL TENT. 

At last it came — three great bundles of canvas and two of 
tent poles, with ropes, pins, and everything complete — the 
" chapel tent." 

"We had concluded not to wait to petition Congress for the 
article, but to apply directly to our friends at home ; and they, 
as friends at home ought always to do in such circumstances, 
at once raised the necessary funds, and forwarded the tent. 

So the Quartermaster sent over a team, and brought it to 
the camp. The Colonel selected a fine place for it to stand. 
The Major detailed the police to clear and terrace the ground. 
The Wagon-master went down into the valley to a field where 
the summer crop of hay had been left standing by a runaway 
secessionist, and brought up a load of it to spread on the 
ground for a floor. . The carpenters made a platform and desk, 
and fixed up temporary seats. A large sheet-iron stove was 
put in. Bayonets were fiistened to the poles for candlesticks. 
And when retreat sounded at sunset on Saturday, the chapel 
tent was pitched and furnished, ready for service on the 
morrow. 

Probably no present from our friends at home could have 
been more useful and acceptable than this. Its want had been 
especially felt as the inclement season advanced. The temple 
of nature, which was every way sufiicient in summer, had 
proved to be rather too breezy and chilly in December. More- 
over it had become so leaky overhead and so wet under 
foot as to repel rather than invite worshipers. Almost the 
only meetings possil)le to us had been by twos and threes, in 
little tents ; and most of the privileges Avlii&h the regimental 



62 

cliiircli is designed to afford had been, in a manner, temporarily 
lost. Now they were restored. We had a chnrch and divine 
service, "We had onr prayer-meetings, class-meetings, Bible- 
class, and ransical gatherings. We even went further, and 
bought a melodeon ; and, as the leader of our band was an ac- 
complished organist, we had much enjoyment of music during 
the lono; winter evening's. 

Some idea of the uses to which the chapel tent was put may 
be obtained from the notices read at our first meeting in it on 
Sunday afternoon : Sunday evening, divine service ; Tuesday 
evening, prayer and conference meeting ; Wednesday evening, 
singing-school and glee-club ; Thursday evening, class-meeting ; 
Friday evening, Bible-class lecture ; Saturday evening, rehear- 
sal of sacred music. In addition to these regular meetings, 
the chapel tent was at all times open and warmed, affording to 
such as cared to avail themselves of it an attractive place of re- 
sort from the crowded company tents. 

Thus the tent was used all the winter steadily, until on the 
24:th of February, in that terrible gale which blew the chinmey 
off the hospital, and tipped over so many steeples in its progress 
over the country, it was torn a little at one end, and taken 
down for safety. 

After that our meetings were held for a time in the barracks 
inside the fort, where they continued to increase in interest, in 
the number that attended them, and, let us hope, in good and 
permanent results. 

The tent is now stored, with other regimental property, in 
Alexandiia, awaiting the time when we shall be once more set- 
tled so that we can use it. 

While speaking of the chapel tent, I may as well allude to 
another gift of our kind friends at home, the value of which 
cannot be too highly estimated. I mean the regimental 
library. 

This consisted of between seven and eight hundred carefully 
selected volumes, of all departments of literature. The books 
were carefully numbered, and were given out according to 
strict regulations. Every evening, immediately after dress- 
parade, the tent containing the library would be crowded. 



0)3 

There was scarcely a volume but what was read with iuterest 
by different members of the regiuient. Nor were stories and 
works of fiction the only ones in demand, but scientilic and 
philosophical books. "One man wants a treatise on astronomy 
— a fine place for star-i^azing was Fort Richardson ; another 
would like to review his Algebra; another to pick up a little 
Botany. Shakspeare, Schiller, and Tennyson are always out, 
except when presented according to the rules. Frederick Law 
Olmsted's books are special favorites. Prescott's Histories 
are greedily read. 

Think of the value of such institutions in the camp. Think 
of their restraining and correcting influences amid the tempta- 
tions to vice on every hand. There is nothing that so quickly 
leads to vice as idleness. Indeed, idleness is itself a vice. 
" Keep your men constantly employed," is a first principle of 
military discipline, just as on board a ship, when there is noth- 
ing else to be done, the sailors are set to scouring the anchors. 
But on rainy days, and during the long cold evenings of win- 
ter, what is there to do in camp but to sit in the tent and talk, 
play cards, or in some way dissipate the time ? Then it is that 
habits of impure conversation are formed, swearing and gam- 
bling are acquired, and the soul is made a prey to vices of all 
sorts. And then most of all do we feel the need of home with 
its gentle influences and restraints ; of Christian fellowship 
with its safeguards and right impulses ; of well-selected books 
to occnpy and to refine the mind. All of these we could not 
have. Home cannot be found in camp. But Christian fel- 
lowship exists wherever Chi istians are ; and our chapel tent sup- 
plied all the external wants of a Christian church. Our libra- 
ry was constantly enjoyed. How many of us have to thank the 
influence of these two enterprises as the means of our security 
from the moral perils of the camp. How many others might 
have been saved from falling, had they availed themselves of 
the same. Let us hope that there may be in the future many 
more to profit by these influences. 



64: 



NEW YEAR S DINNER. 

On the evening before New Year's an elegant entertainment 
was given by the officers of our regiment in the barracks at 
Fort Richardson, to which some of the officers of the Massa- 
chusetts Thirteenth, then in garrison at Fort Albany, were in- 
vited. Governor Dutton and his son. Lieutenant Dutton, of 
the Fifth Connecticut, were also present as invited guests. 

The barracks were beautifully decorated by our florists with 
evergreens, flags, and Chinese lanterns, which last, with the 
flags, were of different sizes and so arranged in regular grada- 
tion as apparently to lengthen the vista to a surprising degree. 
The tables were loaded with viands of every variety, together 
with many ornamental dishes. The bill of fare had been en- 
trusted to the Sutler of the regiment, Mr. Bliss, with instruc- 
tions to deny us nothing that the Washington market could 
furnish. And these instructions seemed to have been faithful- 
ly carried out, for we could think of nothing desirable that we 
did not have. In fact, the dinner was the perfectiou of Bliss. 

Along the tables on either side stood rows of men in uni- 
form, who were to act as waiters in consideration of tlie spoils 
of the feast. The band was stationed at the lower end of the 
room, and gave us excellent music during our repast. A glee- 
club was also present, and favored us from time to time with 
patriotic songs. 

The eatables being gradually disposed of, the regular toasts 
were drunk, in response to one of which Governor Dutton gave 
us an eloquent, forcible speech. A stirring speech was also 
made by Lieutenant-Colonel White, and another by Lieuten- 
ant Dutton. 

Then we had volunteer toasts, music, songs, and stories, fill- 
ing up the time most pleasantly until, at an early hour, we 
broke up and vacated the barracks to the men. 

REVIEW BY MRS. GENERAL McCLELLAN. 
March 1th. 

The day was beautiful. The wind blew just hard enough 
to remind one of Avhat it could do if it had a mind to. Cold 



65 

clouds were drivinp^ tliroiifyli the sky — slireds of yesterday's 
storm, and threatening another storm npon the morrow. But 
the sun shone bright upon us ; and the bhic-birds came out 
and sang. It seemed as tliough nature had let in just this one 
fine day among the chilly, blustering days of March, in honor 
of our distinguished visitor. 

The camp shone with cleanliness. Not a shaving, leaf or 
scrap of paper disfigured the parade-ground. Boots sparkled. 
Brasses gleamed. Uniforms were radiant. Every musket had 
a little halo of brightness round about it. The sentry-boxes 
were fresh whitewashed. The guard-house ditto. The bar- 
racks had been mopped, swabbed, scrubbed, brushed, swept, 
and garnished. Odors of cleanness arose from the very 
ground. Something was evidently coming to pass. Officers 
and men kept running out of the tents and looking in the di- 
rection of Fort Albany. Glasses were leveled at tlie road 
where it mounts over the hill. Everybody was on tip-toe. 
The great black guns in the fort were holding their breath 
with that ominous silence that betokens an impending explo- 
sion. 

At last a great buzz arose from the camp and fort : — "They 
come ! They come !" — A cliariot drawn by glowing steeds of 
white; — and slam bang! — l>ang, bang, bang — bang! went all 
the guns in the fort in irregular salvo, as if they couldn't pos- 
sibly repress their feelings. 

However, this did not signify. The glowing steeds turned 
out to be but sorry jades. The chariot was nothing but a hack. 
So the guns were re-loaded and requested to be more careful 
next time. 

Another buzz ! — and this time without mistake. Four horses, 
a cliariot, and out riders. And with beautiful precision a 
Major-General's salute of fifteen guns was given. Perhaps the 
fiiith of some was shaken on discovering that the chariot was 
only a four-horse ambulance. But it was Mrs. General Mc- 
Clellan's equipage, nevertheless. 

So the guns fired, the men cheered, the flags waved, the 
band played, the sun shone, the camp smiled, the old fort 
grinned and showed its teeth, and there was a great jubilee. 

5 



66 

The party consisted of Mrs, General McClellan, the Hon, 

Mrs, D and lier two daughters, Miss S , Miss R , 

Col, Y A , Capt, M and Capt. McC . 

They were first introduced to the Colonel's tent M'liile the 
companies marched out of their respective streets, and the line 
was being formed for the review. 

Then, when all was ready, the reviewing party took their 
places. The regiment presented arms, officers saluting, colors 
dropping, music playing, drums sounding the thi'ee ruffles. 

Her lad^'ship acknowledged the salute by a graceful bow. 

Tlien the command shoulder — Arms ! was given and execu- 
ted ; after which, the music playing all the time, the reviewing 
party proceeded to the right of the line, passed along tlie front, 
round tlie left flank, along tlie rear of the file-closers to the 
right, and so back to the camp-color in front. 

The line was then broken into column and the regiment 
went through its paces. First they marched around in com- 
mon time, officers saluting, colors dropping, drums sounding 
as before. Then they marched around again at quick-step. 
Then the band struck up the " First Connecticut Double 
Quick March," and away they all went at a swinging gait 
around the parade ground. Old Sam with his knapsack 
strapped upon liis back, bringing up the rear, all out of breath, 
and cutting the corners so as to keep in place. Good dog ! 
But he wanted to do his best, for it was the GeneraFs lady who 
had come to review him. 

The line of battle was then formed again. The regiment 
presented arms as at the first, and the review was over. But 
not the day. 

Tlien followed guard-mounting, at which lier ladyship also 
assisted. I quote from the diary of one of the men : — " Mrs. 
McClellan was present at guard-mounting and inspected our 
muskets with the eye of an old soldiery 

Next the hospital was visited, Mrs. McClellan going into all 
the wards, and having some word of kindness or of sympathy 
for each one of the sick. It was touching to see the poor fel- 
lows lying there on their backs trying to give lier the regular 



67 

military salute. Her visit was jucdiciiic to tlicni, as it was 
suiiliij;lit and music to us all. 

From the hospital the party proceeded to the cottage oppo- 
site, where refreshments had been provided for them. The 
band came down and played during dinner. And after din- 
ner the room was cleared for dancing. 

Thus the day passed merrily away. But it could not last 
forever. Old Boreas be<i;an to signify that he had held in lon<r 
enough. The blue-birds had gone into the woods out of the 
cold. The shadows were lengthening over the landscape. The 
ladies must start at once, if they would reach Washington be- 
fore dark. 

So the ladies got into the ambulance ; the gentlemen mount- 
ed their horses. Good-byes were said. But it was hard to 
part. At first one of the horses absolutely refused to go. The 
Quartermaster was so affected that he actually lost all con- 
sciousness and was ill for several days. We were all in great 
distress. The wind blew and howled. The sky looked gloomy 
and dark. Our hearts were chilled. 

But late is inexorable. The pleasantest days must come to 
an end. We cannot monopolize Mrs. McClellan. Once more 
— Good bye !— and the cavalcade slowly proceeds down the 
hill. 

Our last recollection of that delightful day is that of a lady's 
white handkerchief waved toward us as the carriage passed 
out of sight over the hill by Fort Albany. 

ACTIVIJ SERVICE. 

After our long winter at Fort Richardson the men bes^an 
to be desirous of change. As the plans for the sunnner cam- 
paign opened, we longed to take an active part. Vv''e did not 
like the idea of leading a fancy soldier's life, safe in our forts in 
sight of Washington, while others were sharing the labors and 
dangers of the war, Avinning laurels for themselves and memo- 
ries that should be joys and honors in after years. It was with 
tears of disappointment that many of our brave fellows looked 
on the columns advancing toward Manassas. Imagine, then, 
their joy when at last the order caine relieving us from duty at 



68 

the forts, and directing Colonel Tyler to report at once to Gen- 
eral McClellan. 

At lialf-past three o'clock on the morning of April 3d, 
reveille was beaten. We ate breakfast by starlight. The 
tents were strnck at six o'clock A. M., and presently the bat- 
talions from the other forts marched over. All superfluous bag- 
gage was made over to the Quartermaster, and many little 
keepsakes in the shape of bedsteads, tables, chairs, stoves, and 
various utensils were left for the consolation of the Massachu- 
sett's Fourteenth, who relieved us. 

We marched to Alexandria, and embarked at four o'clock 
P. M., Major Kellogg and his command on board the Mystic, 
the rest on the large river-boat, the Knickerbocker. That 
night we lay at anchor in tlie stream, and next morning at 
six o'clock proceeded down the river. The day Avas beautiful, 
warm, and spring-like ; and, as we lay or strolled about the 
decks, listening to the music of the band, busying ourselves 
with the sights along the shore. Mount Vernon, Fort Washing- 
ton, and the deserted rebel batteries below, it seemed like some 
holiday excursion, rather than an earnest mission of war. 

On the morning of the 4th we awoke to find ourselves near 
Fortress Monroe, surrounded by a forest of shipping, among 
which we could discern the singular form of the Monitor. In 
due process of time we disembarked, and spent the morning on 
the sand, under the guns of the fort, amusing ourselves with 
walking on the beach and seeing the cavalry horses landed 
from the ships. In the afternoon we marched out toward 
Hampton, and went into camp on this side of the river, in the 
field directly opposite Ex-President Tyler's country mansion. 
This house fairly swarmed with contrabands. 

This was Friday. We lay here all next day, parties being 
detailed to load ordnance stores on barges in the river. On 
Sunday we moved. 

HAMPTON. 

But I cannot leave this camp without some notice of the de- 
serted, ruined village opposite. 

This village was burned, as you remember, on the night of 



69 

August 7th, by order of General Magrnder, in order that it 
might not afford winter quarters to our troops. It was one of 
the most beautiful and aristocratic villages of Virginia, and 
was especially interesting on account of its age and the relics 
of the past which it contained. The old Episcopal church was 
one of the most valuable relics in the country. It was built by 
Queen Ann, the brick being imported from England, and had 
recently been repaired and fitted up by the diocese. The build- 
ing was overgrown with ivy. The church-yard was full of in- 
teresting tombs. 

But the rebellion had set its impious heel upon this sanctu- 
ary, and crushed out its beauty forever. A pile of blackened, 
tottering walls alone remained. Even the tombs were opened 
and defaced. In some the very bones were laid bare, and the 
desecration was too horrible to be described. The whole vil- 
lage was a mass of ruins, a wilderness of naked chimneys and 
blackened walls. Every house had been gutted. The only 
living person that we saw was a bed-ridden old woman who 
still made out to live in a little shanty that alone had escaped 
the general wreck. 

But even in this wretched place nature was doing her best 
to cover with beauty the ruins that man had made. Already 
the ivy on the church was reaching out its climbing stems, 
taking hold of the charred walls with its delicate rootlets, cov- 
ering the jagged fissures with graceful festoons. Little cro- 
cuses had put their heads out from the rubbish on the ground, 
wondering w^liat all this meant. The myrtle crept over the 
graves and blossomed white and blue — innocence and purity. 
Thus God brings everywhere good out of evil. Thus he heals 
the wounds which sin has made ; and he shall make our coun- 
try, although ruined and bleeding, to bud and blossom as the 
rose. 

TO YORKTOWN. 

We hoped to have had service in that desolate church- 
yard on Sunday ; and a squad of men had already engaged, 
after the service, to put a few of the tombs, which had been 
shamelessly desecrated, in order. But Sunday morning, while 



70 

the regiment was paraded for inspection, the Colonel's mount- 
ed orderly came np with orders for the regiment to be sent to 
camp at once, and get ready to march immediately. 

This was done ; and, in a few hours, our goods and effects 
were packed away — part on a scow and part on a propeller 
while the regiment, except a few men detailed as guards on 
board the other boats, embarked on board the fine large steam- 
boat John A. Warner, and, by the light of a beautiful sunset, 
the band playing, steamed down the roads to the fortress. 

Here M'c lay that night. And here we found a hundred 
new recruits awaiting us. From this point our sick were 
transferred to the general hospital. 

We left our anchorage on the morning of Monday, April 7th, 
about five o'clock, and proceeded up the Chesapeake, having 
in tow the barge containing our baggage. The wind blew 
strong. There was a heavy sea, and many M'ere sea-sick. Tlie 
old barge astern rolled about, and often plunged deck under, 
giving to the men on board repeated duckings. . This was 
great fun for those on the steamboat who were able to laugh. 

Instead of going up York River, as most of us had antici- 
pated, we turned in just this side to Poquosin Bay, and pro- 
ceeded up as far as Ship Point, which place the rebels had 
evacuated but a day or two before. We anchored abreast of 
their deserted batteries, and immediately prepared to land. 
Part of Company D were loaded into pontoon boats, and 
pulled toward the shore. Put, before a landing was effected, 
orders came to reembark and wait for further orders. 

So the regiment remained on board that day, and the next, 
and the next, and the next, a cold rain and wind prevailing all 
the time, driving the men inside for shelter, where they were 
packed worse than on a slave-ship, Avitli scanty rations, poor 
water, worse air, and things generally grievous and torment- 
ing. 

But, as is always the case in the soldier's life, first it rains 
and everybody is blue, and then it clears off and we clenr off 
too ; so that, when the sun broke through the clouds on 
Thursday afternoon, the sunny faces of the men broke through 
the clouds of discontent that rested on their brows, and all was 



Tl 

light again. Companies A and B and part of Company F were 
transferred to anotlier boat, making more room for all. That 
night -was hcantiful The wind went down. Tlie moon slio7ie 
bright and clear. And our band awoke the echoes of the ])inc 
forests along the shore with the iirst patriotic music that had 
been heard there since the war began. 

At eight o'clock on the morning of April 11th we steamed 
Tip a bight of the bay about two miles to Cheeseman's Land- 
ing, where we found Companies A and B already on shore, and 
hard at work unloading ordnance stores from vessels at the 
dock. 

On landing we were marched over into an adjacent plowed 
field, where we pitched our tents, those of the Colonel and the 
field and stati" close by the water's edge, on a little arm of the 
bay, which we found to abound with oysters and clams. 

The same afternoon Companies II and C, under Major 
Trumbull, were sent some three miles toward Yorktown to oc- 
cupy a deserted rebel earthwork. 

SIEGE OF YORKTOWN, 
April lllh — Mai/ od. 

The artillery park was established at Camp Winfield Scott, 
near Fort Grafton, the rebel work before alluded to, on a level 
plain, concealed from the enemy by a low range of woods. 
The work of transferring the ordnance and ordnance stores 
commenced immediately, and was prosecuted day and night 
until the evacuation. The headquarters of the regiment were 
for a time at Cheeseman's Landing, but were soon transferred 
to the park. After the heavy guns were transported the main 
body of the regiment was moved to the park, and from thence 
distributed among the various batteries along the front. 

The siege train pertaining to the regiment, and actually in 
battery at the time of the evacuation, consisted of two 200, 
and five 100-pounder Parrotts at Battery No. 1, manned by 
Company B, and commanded by Major Kellogg; five 4^-inch 
guns and five 30-pounder Parrotts at Battery JSTo. 2, manned 
by Companies A and II, and commanded by Major Ileming- 



72 

way ; ten 13-incli sea-service mortars (1861) at Battery No. 4, 
manned by Companies F and G, and commanded by Major 
Kellogg ; six 10-incli sea-service mortars (1841) at Batter}^ No. 
6, manned by Company C, and commanded by Captain Bur- 
bank ; ten 10-incli siege mortars at Battery No. 9, manned by 
Companies D and E, and commanded by Major Trumbull ; 
five 4|-incli rifled guns at batterj'' No. 10, manned by Compa- 
ny I, and commanded by Captain Perkins ; besides four 20- 
pounder Parrotts, four 10-pounder Wliitwortlis, three 8-incli 
howitzers, two 8-inch siege mortars in the park at Fort Graf- 
ton, and five 10-inch and five 8-inch siege mortars, which were 
transported to the park but were afterwards given over to the 
New York Fifth (Zouaves.) Of these seventy-one pieces of 
artillery sixty-five were disembarked by our regiment, the 
six 10-inch sea-service mortars being disembarked by the New 
York Fifth. 

For the service of these guns there were conveyed 17,047 
projectiles, weighing in all 857,417 pounds, besides powder and 
small stores in proportion. Of these all but the projectiles of 
the thirteen-inch mortars were hauled from Cheeseman's Land- 
ing to Fort Grafton, and thence taken to the batteries as they 
were needed. The projectiles of the thirteen-inch mortars 
were taken directly to the battery by water. The transporta- 
tion from Cheeseman's Landing to Fort Grafton amounted to 
726 wagon loads ; that from the fort to the batteries to 613 
wagon loads. 

The peculiar difficulties of the labor thus involved were 
very much enhanced by the nature of tlie country and the gen- 
erally unfavorable state of the weather. The separation of the 
dry land from the waters on this part of the peninsula seems 
never to have been strictly carried out. Puncture the surface 
anywhere and water gushes forth. The tent pins drew water 
where we pitched our tents, and barrels M^ere sunk all over the 
camp for wells. Thus, though the surface of the soil appeared 
hard and dry it was often but a thin layer over fathomless 
mud, and, as the heavy hundred-pounder moved slowly along 
the road, the wheels of the sling-cart would sometimes pierce 
the upper crust, and the monster gun would be almost hope- 



Y3 

lessly mired. Tliis oeeniTed even when the roads were mod- 
erately good. Jjut during most of tlie time excessive rains 
kept the roads in the worst possible condition. Much of the 
way between Cheeseman's Landing and the park was through 
a swamp. Miles of corduroy had to be built and kept in 
repair, and several entirely new roads were constructed. 

When the guns were mired, as above mentioned, it often 
happened, that horses and mules would prove of no avail to 
draw them out. Then several hundred men would man the 
ropes ; Major Kellogg would mount on the axle of the sling 
cart, give the word of command, and with a long pull all to- 
gether the huge guns would be dragged out and drawn steadi- 
ly along the road. In this way several hundred-pounders were 
transported from the park to Battery No. 1. 

Moreover, much of the work incident to our siege operations 
was done in the night, and often during heavy rains ; and much 
of it was done under the enemy's lire. — I quote from the offi- 
cial report of Major Doull, to which I am indebted for the sta- 
tistics above given : 

" During the seven days that elapsed from the 26th of April 
to the evacuation of Yorktown, all the batteries were fired at 
more or less continually ; but, though the regiment had never 
before been under fire, and is, like the rest of this army, com- 
posed of troops who have not been twelve months in the ser- 
vice, and who would therefore be considered in any regular ar- 
tillery in the world merely as recruits, and though the officers 
have not had the advantage of that scientific military training 
which is usually considered necessary for this branch of milita- 
ry service, and although a large portion of the material em- 
ployed has been of a weight hitherto completely unknown in 
sieges, and has therefore necessitated the employment of car- 
riages and platforms usually confined to permanent works on 
account of the labor, care, and accuracy required in their con- 
struction ; yet the condition of the batteries, and the accuracy 
with which all the platforms have been laid, and the magazines 
arranged, give no indication whatever of these disadvantages." 

From first to last the only incidents that occurred during all 
the embarking, disembarking and mounting of the armament, 



74: 

were tJic breaking of a treble block while mounting a tliirteen- 
incli sea-service mortar with the gin, and the slipping of the 
block of a gun tackle while moving one of the thirteen-inch 
mortars on rollers. 

The report of Major DouU draws an interesting comparison 
between onr siege operations and those of the English before 
Sebastopol. "When it is considered that the first siege train 
placed in battery by the English before Sebastopol consisted of 
seventy-two pieces ; that they marched into Balaklava on the 
25th of September, and opened tire upon the ITtli of October, 
twent^'-two days afterward ; and that they employed to ac- 
complish tliis end all the resources of a powerful navy and of a 
large regular artillery skilled by constant practice in the large 
maritime fortresses of Gil)raltar, Malta, and Corfu, in all the ma- 
neuvers of heavy artillery; and that only the same time (twen- 
ty-two days, from the 11th of April to the 3d of May) was 
occupied in placing seventy-one guns in battery, many of them 
much exceeding in weight any that have before been used in a 
siege ; it is evident that the labors of the First Connecticut 
Artillery will compare favorably with anything of the kind 
that has been done before." 

Riding up to Battery No. 1 one day, General McClellan re- 
marked that this battery was the heaviest that had ever been 
used in a siege. The report shows this in figures : " The 
heaviest pieces placed in position in the trenches before Sebas- 
topol were by the English- — the sixty-eiglit-pouuder gun of 
10,640 lbs., and the sea-service mortar of 11,300 lbs., and 
by the French the cation de 50 of 10,190 lbs., and the mor- 
tier de Z'-lc. of 9,615 lbs. The two hundred-pound Parrott 
[used by us] weighs 16,570 lbs., and the thirteen-inch sea- 
service mortar (1861) 17,120 lbs. The guns placed in po- 
sition at Yorktown exceed therefore in weight by fifty per cent, 
any guns that have ever before been placed in siege batteries. 

"Only one battery, ISTo. 1, of five 100-pounders and two 
200-pounder Parrotts, opened fire during the siege. This bat- 
tery opened fire on the 1st of May, and at once drove all the 
rebel shipping from the wharves at Yorktown." The rebel 
batteries responded ; but tlieir shot and shell invariably passed 



75 

over, doing no damage. On the afternoon of the 3d continned 
firing was kept up, and the rebel water battery was silenced. 
An inf^pcction of the batteries on the river front of the York- 
town fortifications showed that the practice from our l>attery, 
notwithstanding the long range, (3,800—4,700 yards,) was very 
accurate ; and, "if we may believe the statements of some of the 
white inhabitants of Yorktown, a number of the enemy Avere 
killed by the fire. "In all one hundred and thirty-seven 
rounds from the one-hundred-pounders, and four rounds from 
the two-hundred-pounders were fired." 

During the siege tlie companies assigned to the different bat- 
teries, unlike the otlier troops employed in the trenches, re- 
mained with their guns under the fire of the enemy, construct- 
ing such shelter as they could. But, although for several days 
exposed, especially on the evening previous to the evacuation, 
and although many shot fell, and many shell exploded, in the 
camps, the pieces sometimes passing through the tents, no seri- 
ous accident of any kind occurred. 

THE EVACUATION OF YOEKTOWN. 
Man ith. 

Gone !— The rascals ! Oli how mad we were ! And tliere 
were all our guns in battery— everything in readiness. The 
sportsman's finger was on the trigger. He was just going to 
fire— when, suddenly, the buzzard flew away, leaving only his 
dirty remains.— The rebel camps in Yorktown were the filthi- 
est places in which human beings could be supposed to live. 
Still they abounded in curious and valuable relics of all sorts, 
which our soldiers proceeded to gather and bring into camp. 

It was singular ho^v many of these articles were authentica- 
ted as belonging to General Mngruder. There were General 
Magruder's camp-stools, table and bed; General Magruder's 
mess-box, demijohn and liynm-book ; General Magruder's slut 
and a whole litter of puppies, which were brought home^ by 
Company A. The personal effects of this distinguished officer 
were really of astonishing number and variety. But he was 
gone ; and the rebels were gone : and his demijohn and hymn- 
book gave us precious little consolation. 



76 

We looked at the fortifications and compared them with those 
in which we had spent the winter. How could they leave them ? 
If they couldn't fight here, where can they hope to find a bet- 
ter place ? We could scarcely believe our eyes. Still they 
were gone. There were their guns all mounted on their w^orks, 
still pointed toward us, and plenty of ammunition, plenty 
of stores of all kinds. But the rebels themselves were gone, and 
we were masters of their leavings. Faugh ! 

Our guns, which we had petted and called by such endear- 
ing names, grew black and hideous to us. It was no pleasure to 
look at them. Their service, which had been prosecuted with 
such vigor and enthusiasm, became the most irksome of all 
drudgery. 

Don't let us talk about it. 

INFANTKY SERVICE. 

After the evacuation of Yorktown, the park was transferred 
thither, and stationed down on the beach, preparatory to load- 
ing the ordnance on vessels. Several companies were sent to 
perform this work, but the headquarters of the regiment re- 
mained at the old site near Fort Grafton. Thus engao-ed we 
remained until the 19th, very little of interest taking place 
meanwhile. A large number of recruits had joined us ; and in- 
fantry drill was resumed. As McClellan was driving the ene- 
my up the peninsula, there seemed but little possibility of our 
siege train beino; again called into use. 

Accordingly, it was a great relief when orders came detail- 
ing us for a time as infantry, and attaching us to General 
Sykes' division of regulars in General Fitz John Porter's army 
corps. 

Reveille sounded at half-past three on the morning of Mon- 
day, May 19th ; breakfast was soon disposed of, knapsacks were 
then packed, shelter tents were issued — one to every two men. 
Everything that could in any way be dispensed with was left 
behind. Guard mounting came off at half-past seven, and at 
eight o'clock we marched to Yorktown. Here we found the 
various parts of the regiment, and after waiting on the beach a 
few hours, embarked on board the transports New Haven, 



77 

Kobert Morris and Star. Companies L and M M^erc left be- 
hind to gnard tlie ordnance stores. 

The sail up York River and the Pamunkey was beautiful, 
although not many signs of civilization appeared along the 
shore. Towns on the map dwindled down to one or two houses 
in reality ; and we began to think that tlie " entire male popula- 
tion," said to be up in arms against us, would hardly make a 
respectable regiment. The houses looked seedy and shiftless. 
But the fields looked well, and the river often wound among 
forests of excellent tind)er. In fact, the resources of the coun- 
try seemed immense ; the industry and enterprise below the 
ordinary. 

But the river itself was the greatest wonder. It was crowd- 
ed with shipping, from large size ocean-steamers down to the 
smallest tugs and sail-boats. It seemed impossible that a 
stream of such capacity, navigable for such large vessels to 
such a great distance from its mouth, and running through a 
country of such abundant wealth in timber and the produce of 
the fields, should not lonij ago have been lined with thrivino- 
villages and towns, like our own less favored Connecticut. But 
such was the case ; and it afforded a striking example of that 
want of thrift and enterprise, which must characterize every 
country where there is no dignity in labor. 

The only objection to the river was its constant crooks and 
turns, so that we would go ten miles or more in really advanc- 
ing two or three. " Mighty poor engineering," said one of our 
lieutenants ; " they ought to have saved all that distance." 

We arrived about seven o'clock on Tuesday morning at the 
White House, near which, in process of time, we encamped. 
This house is interesting as being on the site of the house 
where Washington spent the first days of his married life. Its 
present owner is Colonel Lee, of the rebel army, or rather I 
should say it has passed from his unworthy hands into the pos- 
session of the government. The situation is beautiful, on the 
left bank of the Pamunkey, high above the level of the river, 
surrounded by trees, and overlooking a broad and fertile plain, 
of several thousand acres, all belonging to the estate and form- 
ing perhaps the largest plantation in Virginia. 



78 

Next day we bad, in the morning, a battalion drill, and in 
the afternoon — we could scarcely believe our eyes — the rifles 
came! Springfield pattern, 1801. Tbe men were extravagant 
in their deliglit, and seemed ready now to cope with any num- 
ber of their enemies. 

Thursday, May 22d. This morning, at half-past four, the 
men were roused and ordered to strike tents and pack knap- 
sacks. The knapsacks were then inspected and everything 
was ordered to be thrown away except a change of undercloth- 
ing and the usual overcoat, blanket and blouse. We marched 
mostly on the railroad as far as Tunstall's Station, where we 
made a halt, and, in the afternoon, preceded in a terrible 
storm, of thunder, lightning, hail and rain, to the cross roads at 
Mount Airey, a distance of nine miles from the White House. 
Here we found Colonel Tyler in command of the brigade con- 
sisting of the 13tli New York volunteers, under Colonel Mar- 
shall, and the Cth Pennsylvania cavalry. Colonel Rush. 

Friday, May 23d. The brigade marched from Mount Airey 
to Old Church, a distance of five miles. A careful reconnoisance 
was made of all the roads leading to the Pamunkey and to 
Hanover Court House, and upon these strong infantry pickets 
were established. Cavalry videttes also observed the ferries at 
Hanover, Newcastle and Piping Tree. The provost duty was 
performed by the New York 13th Volunteers, and in investi- 
satino; tlie neio-hborhood, the Provost Marshal discovered that 
Mrs. General Lee was staying at Mr. Sayers' house within our 
picket lines. A large quantity of commissary and light-house 
stores were found by the same officer. 

Saturday, May 24tli. In accordance with instructions from 
General Fitz John Porter, Colonel Tyler made a reconnoisance 
in force with the three regiments under his command towards 
Hanover Court House. It being ascertained that the enemy 
was established there in considerable strength, the infantry was 
drawn up in position near Mrs. Newton's house, about five miles 
from Old Church, and the Cth Pennsylvania cavalry advanced 
two miles to Widow Huntley's and found the enemy in force. 
During the reconnoisance Colonel Marshall destroyed the ferry 
at Hanover Town, and Major Doull, having ascertained that a 



79 

private ferry existed about two miles above Hanover Town and 
about a mile and a half from the main road, in a deep salient 
bend of the river, took three men of the Gth PeiHis_ylvania 
cavalry and destroyed it. 

The same evening a reinforcement, consisting of the 5th New 
York Yolnnteers, under Colonel Warren, and Captain "Weed's 
Rhode Island Battery, arrived, and Colonel Warren, as senior 
officer in rank, took command of the brigade. 

Monday, May 26th. A battalion of our regiment, under 
command of Major Hemingway, accompanied the for(;e under 
Colonel Warren, to destroy the bridge on the Pamunkey, near 
Widow Huntley's. While the JSTew York 5th crossed the river 
and destroyed the bridge, this l)attalion deployed and showed 
front toward Hanover Court House, to cover the operation in 
that direction. 

During the same day. Company E, under Captain Rock- 
wood, marched to Newcastle Ferry with orders to destroy all 
means of crossing the river from that point down, until he com- 
municated with the gunboats. At Newcastle Ferry, Captain 
Rockwood burnt the ferry-boat and captured four row-l)oats, 
in which he embarked 'half his detachment, and proceeded 
down the river, the other half moving along the bank in sup- 
port. About two miles down, Captain Rockwood captured 
four row-boats, and about four miles (by river) found a ferry 
called Basset's Landing, and twelve boats, one of them a small 
yacht called the Teazer, said to have been used at Yorktown. 
The whole were capable of transferring about five hundred 
men at a time across the stream. All tliese were destroyed, 
and fifteen ])oats found between this point and Piping Tree 
.where he destroyed the ferry-boat, and between that point and 
North Berry, seventeen more boats, besides some in process of 
construction. One of them was an open boat propelled by 
steam. At North Berry, about four miles below Piping Tree 
Ferry, Cajitain Rockwood found the ferry-boat already de- 
stroyed, and having ascertain.ed that the gunboats had lieen up 
this far, he disembarked and encamped for the niglit. This 
operation, in connection with that undertaken by the column 
under Colonel Warren, completed the destruction of all the 



80 

means of crossing the Pamnnkey below Hanover Court Ilonse. 
The distance from Newcastle Ferry to Newburg by river is 
about twenty-two miles. 

THE BATTLE OF HANOVER COURT HOUSE. 
Tuesday, May llth. 

In conjunction with a movement by General Fitz John 
Porter's division, the brigade under Colonel Warren advanced 
toward Hanover Court House. The battle had already begun 
as we reached the field, and the first rout of the enemy was go- 
ing on. Our regiment was immediately deployed to attack the 
enemy in the woods on the Hanover Court House road, but 
they retired before the woods were entered. 

When the column was ordered to countermarch to repel the 
attack of the enemy upon our left rear, the advance of the bri- 
gade was much impeded by the artillery and ambulance trains, 
and the regiments thus became separated. As tlie left now be- 
came the front, Colonel Marshall with the 13th New York led 
off, followed by the New York 5th, and having deployed in the 
open ground near Dr. Kinney's liouse, reported to General 
Porter for orders. The 13tli New York was ordered to sup- 
port Captain Griffin's battery on the left flank. They were 
seriously engaged and did great execution upon the enemy. 
The 5th New York deployed and entered the woods on the 
right ; and, in support of the movement and to prolong the 
attack in this direction, our own regiment was deployed and 
entered the woods. But unfortunately tlie enemy retired too 
rapidly to enable either the New York 5th or our own regi- 
ment to operate on their flank. 

So the afi\iir ended without our having the pleasure of a 
fight. The enemy was utterly routed and dispersed. Our 
troops had taken hundreds of prisoners, all of them belonging 
to North Carolina regiments, which appeared to have been the 
only ones engaged. The dead and wounded of the enemy 
were left upon the battle-field. Niglit was rapidly drawing on 
and we were ordered to bivouac on the field near Dr. Kinney's 
house. 

As our regiment came out of the woods a General riding up 



81 

requested the Surgeons and myself to go into anotlier part of 
the woods near by, which had been held by the rebels and where 
they had suffered severely, and do what we could to relieve their 
wounded. We found nearly a hundred dead and wounded 
there in a small space, and brought some thirty of the latter up 
to the hospital near Dr. Kinney's house. 

I cannot forbear mentioning the case of one old man among 
them. His hair was gray, nearly white ; and it seemed strange 
to see so old a man in the position of a private soldier. He was 
lying in a pile of dead and wounded, himself shot through and 
through with half a dozen bullets and suffering acutely. 

As I bent over him to see wdiat could be done, I said, "AVhy, 
Uncle, how came you here ? I'm sorry to find so old a man as 
you in this condition." 

" Oh, don't kill me, sir," he answered. 

" Nobody wants to hurt you, my good man. You've seen 
to-day how we can fight : now you shall see how we can treat 
our prisoners," 

He smiled gratefully at this, although in anguish of suffer- 
ing from his many wounds. At last he said, " I pray God to 
forgive me for taking part in this unholy war." 
" What made you come?" 

" They made me, Tliat is, I would have had to pay a heap 
of money to have staid at home ; and I've a wife and two lit- 
tle children down in North Carolina ; and I'm a poor man ; 
and it's hard to get money these days ; and I couldn't bear to 
take my little property away from them / and so for love of 
them I came. But when I saw the old flag this morning, it 
didn't seem right to be fighting against it, I hope God will 
forgive me." 

Poor old man ! We did the best for him and all of them 
that we could. But the Surgeon said next day that he must 
die. 

There was another there praying vf ildly for God to forgive 
his sins and to forgive him for coming to the war. 

Another, a mere lad, mortally wounded, looked up and 
said, " Oh, sir, I'm so glad that I am in your hands." 

" Why, I am one of those terrible Yankees that, your offi- 

6 



82 

cers said, were going to cut your throats and eat you up," 1 
said laughingly, as I proceeded to relieve him as gently as I 
could. 

At last he said, as though in answer to my remark, " "Well, 
I can't help that; but I just wish my inother knew that I was 
in your hands." 

It was a painful task to labor with these sufferers and hear 
their penitent confessions, their prayers, and their sad grati- 
tude. But it made my faith in the righteousness of our good 
cause grow stronger to hear such words from their lips. The 
saddest thing of all was to think that after their brave fight- 
ing tliey could not have the consolation of heroic death, but 
must feel that they died as traitors, praying God to forgive 
them for taking part in an unholy war. 

Wednesday, May 28th. — The regiment furnished burying 
parties. 

Thursday, May 29th. — The regiment formed part of the 
column under Colonel Warren, which advanced on Ashland, 
and came into position to defend the fork of the Richmond 
and Ashland roads in force, while the reconnoisance was being 
pushed forward by the cavalry. The regiment returned thence 
to Dr. Kinney's, and by night marched to Old Church, in all 
about eighteen miles. 

Saturday, May 30th. — The regiment marched from Old 
Church to Coal Harbor, and on Sunday, June 1st, joined the 
headquarters of the division. 

The official report of this period of detached service, from 
which I have made large literal extracts, closes as follows : 

" Although not actually under fire during this period, the 
regiment has many times taken those preparatory steps for 
action which are more trying to new troops than actual con- 
flict, and they have shown a spirit and steadiness which con- 
vinces me that they may be depended on, upon occasion. My 
field, staff, and line officers have shown themselves capable and 
efficient. I need not call to your attention the valuable char- 
acter of the services of Major Doull, Second New York Artil- 
lery, as they must have come constantly under your notice." 



83 



THE YEAR ENDED. 



Thus ends onr first year iu the service. A few days here in 
camp, spent in drill, parades, and occasional reviews, bring us 
to the anniversary of onr departure ; and here we are gathered 
this evening around our camp fire, reviewing our first year of 
army life. 

As my eye runs round the circle, it is greeted by the same 
ftices that met its gaze a year ago at our first religious service 
in Camp Mansfield. Sickness has been sparing of us. But 
few of the hardsldps and privations of the soldier have ever 
fallen to our lot. As a regiment, compared with others, we 
have been peculiarly fiivored; and the memories of the past 
year may well awake in our hearts feelings of gratitude and 
thankful love toward God. 

But this year has not been without its lessens of warning. 
Some of our number are not here to-night, some whom we 
most liked, and whose stalwart forms we least thought would 
be the first to fail. Some have been cut down in a moment, in 
the pride and buoyancy of life. Others have passed through 
long days and weeks of suffering. Some have died with the 
Christian's joy and hope ; some in darkness and despair; others 
unconscious of their state. But the voices of all alike sound in 
our ears, Prepare to uneet thy God ! The same liabilities are 
before us that were before them— perhaps even greater ; for 
we know not how soon we may be called upon to face the 
dangers of the battle-field. Here is the place, now is the time, 
for preparation. Not the sick bed, not the battle-field, but 
here, as with clear, calm minds we review our position, realize 
our liability and duty, and are able to perform the latter, Not 
shutting our eyes against the truth, not indifference to it, not 
self-deception, are the secrets of success and happiness in life, 
but self examination and obedience to the holy will of God. 

If our regimental experience has taught us anything, it has 
been tin's, that constant and minute inspection, together with 
the enforcement of strict obedience to military law, is neces- 
sary to make men good soldiers. Let us profit by the lesson. 



84 

It is tlie eecret of all living. Let us apply it to our spiritual 
lives. — Self-examination and obedience to the law of God. 

ANOTHER RETROSPECT. 

Once more look back into the past. Is there aught that 
should be mentioned ? How forms and incidents crowd round 
us as we look ! How many interesting memories there are 
that seek expression ! — many tliat might excite our smiles or 
tears, and far too many for tliis little chronicle. Let us leave 
them for the future. For in years to come in old Connecticut, 
in tlie long winter evenings when the great logs are piled up in 
the fire-place, and the good wife brings from her store apples 
and nuts and sparkling cider for the evening lunch, then gray- 
haired men shall tell these stories to their grandchildren, re- 
calling the merry times at Ilagerstown, the varied scenes and 
incidents of our long winter at Fort Ivichardson, the exploits 
of the following campaign, while little Bob, in the pride of his 
heart, shall wish that the South would only dare again rebel, 
that he might be a soldier in the First Connecticut Artillery. 

OLD SAM. 

But who is this heavily coming out before us, his legs spread 
out to support his ponderous body, his sides panting with the 
exertion, Ids eyes preserving a steady perpendicular, while his 
head rolls from side to side as he walks, and his tail wagging 
in spasms, in one of which, long time ago, he would seem to 
have got the upper end of it into an inextricable knot ? Poor 
old Sam ! Did you think you were forgotten ? Never, good 
dog! 

Sam is an aged contraband from Ilagerstown. On all our 
marches he has followed us. At every dress-parade and grand 
review Sam has been in his place as file-closer, and if all our 
file-closers would do their duty half as well, our marches would 
be more creditable to us than some of late have been. Through 
all that long and weary march to Hanover, Sam followed us, 
toiliu"- tln'ough the mud. Not till the return, worn out at last 
with heat and hunger and fatigue, did he fall behind, and come 
in with the ambulances. Poor, faithful, good old Sam! we 



85 

are glad to see thee by our camp fire here to-niglit; and may 
thy life and strengtli be spared a little longer till thou hast 
shown thy teeth at Richmond, and wagged thy tail triumphant 
over the rebel foe. 

BRUNO. 

Nor should Bruno be forgotten — impetuous, audacious, ever 
watching for a fight. Do you remember how one night there at 
Fort Richardson, when I was reading prayers at dress parade, 
Bruno marched out in front of the battalion, stood up vv'ith his 
fore paws resting on my shoulders, and looked over the prayer 
book ? Then the splendid discipline of the regiment shone out. 
Not a man moved, not a sound was uttered. Only a qiuet 
smile ran like a sunbeam along the ranks, the dog laid down, 
and the service was resumed. 

SCIPIO AFKICANUS. 

And who is this with hat in hand, and long black horny fin- 
ger touching his forehead, as he shambles forward with awk- 
ward bows ? 

" Scipio, is that you?" 
" Oh yaas, Marsr Chap-el, dat's you," 
" And you want me to put you in my address ?" 
" 'f you please. Marsr Chap-el, put Scip in your 'dress." 
" "Well, stop calling me that. — And look here, Scipio 1" 
'' Yaas, Marsr Cliap-el, stop eallhi um dat. Jes' lookey yah, 
Scip." 

" How many times must I tell you not to repeat over what 
is said to you? It's a very offensive, preposterous habit." 

" Yaas, Marsr Chap-el, — 'posrous habit, 'posrous habit; yah,' 
yah !" 

" Well, stop it, then. Do you hear ?" 
" Oh yaas, Marsr Chap-el, Ise liyer?" 

That boy ! — He was always bringing me into some disgrace 
or other. One day we had some friends to dinner, and Scipio 
brought on a pudding about one-third cooked. So we told him 
to have it ready for tea. Well, about three o'clock in the af- 
ternoon, just as we were all going out riding, the grooms hold- 



86 

ing our horses, everything conwie ilfaut, and everybody look- 
ing on, who shonkl come edging his way through the group of 
officers, with his great humpback and ugdy mug, but this out- 
rageous Seipio, looking after mg. In vain I tried to avoid 
him, dodging in and out, and not to seem to notice him, 
talking very hard among my friends. The fellow shambled 
after me and coming up at last, to my utter consternation, call- 
ed out with his thick voice, 

" Puddn done now, Marsr Chap-el, — puddn all done." 

" Yes. Well— clear out !" 

" Yaas, Marsr Chap-el, clear \m\ all out. Puddn putty 
good dis time." 

" Seipio.— Be off ! Away with you ! Skedaddle !" 

" Yaas, Marsr Chap-el — 'way wiv um I 'daddle ! — Puddn 
fus-rate while its hot." 

And so he took himself off amid shouts of laughter from the 
officers, to my intense mortification and distress, muttering as 
he went, 

" Oh, gorry I Dat 'ar puddn l:)Oun' to t'spile. . . Marsr Chap- 
el .. . 'daddle . . . 'daddle . , . yah, yah, yah!" 

This boy attached himself to us at Yorktown. He was 
brother to our cook, who brought him into camp one day and 
harbored him till he could find a place. He was an uncouth, 
clownish creature, with a great hump on his back and such a 
face and head as might establish Mr. Darwin's development 
hypothesis — Seipio being just in the transition state between 
man and monkey. But he made himself useful ; and, as to his 
peculiarities, they proved to be an inexhaustible resource of 
amusement. 

Among other characteristics he possessed a singular and be- 
setting love of praise ; so that everything he did had to be 
lauded in minute detail. At times this trait would show itself 
most laughably ; but now and then it exasperated me beyond 
measure. I can never forget one incident of this, when Seipio 
first came into camp. 

We were then with our artillery park near Fort Grafton. 
The ground on which our tents were pitched seemed but a 
thin surhice or crust over a deep marsh. Water was to be had 



87 

anywhere by digging down a foot, und many wells were made 
about the camp — some in the tents, and one of these in mine. 

One night I came home late after a long, muddy ride, and, 
drawing off my cavalry boots, gave them to Scipio to clean. 
I then proceeded to close the tent, undress, and go to bed, 
blowing out the light at last and thinking that I was safe from 
all intrusion. All this while there was the sound of vigorous 
brusliing going on; and it just occurred to me that Scipio 
would be very apt to call attention to his work in order to re- 
ceive the usual meed of approbation. Inwardly resolved, how- 
ever, to pay no attention to the boy, I closed my eyes and put 
myself to sleep. 

Presently I was aroused by some one fingering at the door 
of my tent. It was Scipio witli the boots, and, liolding my 
breath, I waited for what might happen. At last he got his 
head and shoulders in, and called out in a loud tone of voice, 

" Marsr Chap-el, you done gone sleep ?" 

No answer ; but I began to laugh all over. 

" Marsr Chap-el, you done gone sleep down 'ar in de cor- 
ner ?" 

Still no answer ; but my suj^pressed laughter became abso- 
lutely painful. 

He then proceeded to put the boots inside, liolding them for 
sometime in his hand and saying over to himself, 

" Dar's Marsr Chap-el right dar in de corner. — Yah, done 
gone sleep. Dat's a fac — 'n dese yer boots is dreifle bright." 

Then reaching slowl)^ round he set them down reluctantly in 
the corner by the trunk, as he supposed — when splash ! splash ! 
one after the other, both boots fell directly into the well. 

For some time I remained unconscious in a sort of paralysis, 
purple with laughter still suppressed, my mouth stuffed with 
the bed-clothes, my eyes deluged with tears and half bursting 
from their sockets. When, at last, perception was restored, 
Scipio was fishing the boots out of the well, dripping with 
water, and himself soliloquizing as follows : 

" 0-o-oh, gorry, gorry ! Marsr Chap-ers boots done tumble 
down de spring. 0-o-oh — gorry ! Dey was so dreffie bright 
— dis yer's too much to bear. 0-o-oh, Scip — 'n Marsr Chap- 



88 

el, dar he lie sleepin' like a 'possum. 0-o-oh- gorry ! — dis yer's 
too much to Lear." 

And so he gnidually took liimself off', leaving me with rup- 
tured blood-vessels and all manner of internal injuries, from 
which I fear I shall never recover; for even now M'hen I 
laugh at a good joke, there come sharp pricks and pains about 
my body that remind me of that one great secret laughter of 
my life. 

But enough about Scipio — I'm sure I wish him well. I 
hope he's got angel's wings in tliat ugly hump on his back. 

CIRCUlSrSPECT. 

We must turn from these entertaining memories of the past. 
The present is here with its momentous interests. The future 
lies before us big with promise to our country, grave ^^•ith its 
liabilities to us. But as we have ever been faithful to whatever 
trust has been committed to ns, so let us be faithful to the last. 
We wait but for our General's command. — 'To him all honor ! 
Well may we who know him, and. have seen his energy and 
skill nnder the difficulties against which he has had to contend, 
admire and love him. Unmoved by the storm which ignorant 
or envious men have songht to raise against him, with never a 
word of self-defense, he calmly works out his consummate 
plans. Not political distinction for himself, but the vindica- 
tion of his country's honor is his ambition. God grant him all 
success ! And let us hope that not too late his country may 
appreciate and reward his services ! 

We are here to-night before Richmond, the very seat and 
stronghold of the rebellion. Let ns look for a moment at the 
state of things compared with what they were a year ago. 
Where are the hopes and threats of the rebellion ? [" Played 
out."] Tes, played out, or very nearly so. Where is that 
mighty "Confederacy" that was to be founded npon slavery as 
the " cliief stone of the corner," and was to demonstrate to the 
world that the great fundamental principle of liberty is but a 
" pestilent heresy of fancy politicians ?" To Avhat sliall these 
rebellious states be likened 'i " Raging waves of the sea, 
foaming out their own shame ; loandering stars, to whom is 
reserved the blackness of darkness forever." Where is their 



89 

precious institution, dearer to them than country, virtue, and 
honor ? Gone, with their patriotism, virtue, and lienor ; for 
tlie M'iklest schemes of the rankest abolitionists under the form- 
er state of affairs would scarcely, in a century, have l)rouii;ht 
slavery so near its end as the South has done by this rebellion. 
Wliere are the so harped-upon rights of the South ? Where 
are the guarantees wliic-h the diplonuicy and political intrigues 
of so mau}^ years had secured to them ? Gone, forfeited, and 
now confessed by them to have been contrary to the spirit of 
the constitution. Wliere is the vaunted prosperity of the con- 
federate power ? We have seen it in desolated Hampton, in 
deserted Yorktown, in great works of internal improvement 
ntterly destroyed, in harvests wiped out by the heel of our ad- 
vancing army. Where is their commerce with the world — 
that glorious prophetic vision of their heated brains ? It has 
been opened at New Orleans, at Beaufort, and at other ports, 
but under the victorious stars and stripes. And now what 
have they left ? What but the consciousness of wrong, and 
that self-corroding rancor which is always felt so keenly where 
inflated pride is burst, and arrogant pretensions are brought 
low by those against whom they have been maintained ? 

PROSPECT. 

And Avliat is to be the end of all this? 

" You cannot subjugate the South," shrieked a woman, once 
a lady, at me the other day. 

Call it what yon like, madam ; but this is true, that to the 
authority of the United States, every state, both North and 
South, will have to submit. The revenues will be collected. 
Government property will be held ; and all armed combina. 
tions against the federal government will be put down and pun- 
ished. 

" But do you think we are going to send our senators and 
representatives to a Yankee congress ?" 

No, madam. That is, I doubt if you will have the oppor- 
tunity. Your Southern politicians have done the country 
little good of late. Better keep them at home. We'll make 
the laws and, if necessarj^, enforce them, asking nothing of 



90 

yonr people but tliat they pay their taxes and then* honest 
debts, and, meanwhile, properly behave themselves. 

Another, more refined and gentle, bnt whose sympathies 
were deeply with the Sonth, remarked to me one day : 

" Well, sir, the Lord decide between ns ! I talk with one 
and with another till I hardly know which is right. But God 
knows, and he surely will not allow the Avrong to triumph." 

So let it be ! It is not for ns to boast, but faithfully to do 
our duty. The Lord will decide between us. " He telleth the 
number of the stars ;■' and he shall say whether the constella- 
tion on our banner is to remain in its integrity, or wdiether any 
of its stars shall wander into darkness. 

THE LESSON OF THE WAK. 

But this war has for ns its lesson„ 

Why is it necessary ? Why this immense expense of 
money, this sacrifice of human life, this suffering all over the 
land? Is it not to maintain a human form of government ; 
to enforce the claims of hnman law ; to teach to these rebel- 
lious states a lesson of obedience ? Yes. Our presence here 
to-night attests our sense of the dignity of our national gov- 
ernment, of the justice of its laws, and of the necessity of 
securing obedience to these. And so profound is our sense of 
all this that we deem it a sacred duty to our God to take up 
arms in such a cause. 

Why is this ? 

Human government grows as a necessity out of the wants 
of human society. It is rooted in the nature of man. All 
creatures have their laws. It is by law that the stars i-evolve 
in their orbits ; that stones fall down instead of up ; that cer- 
tain substances crystallize in certain forms ; that plants grow 
from the seed, and bud, and blossom, and reproduce their kind ; 
that animals increase and multiply. These we call " laws of na- 
ture ;" or more properly " laws of God." And no one of these 
laws is ever broken. They are framed by divine wisdom to 
secure the perfect working of all things, the universal harmony. 
Were one of them to be broken, discord and confusion would 
result. So the soul has its laws, in accordance with whicli it 



91 

acts, and witliout wliic-li all sorts of moral evil would result. 
There is a rig'lit, that is a conformity to law, in moral action, just 
as there is a right in the growth of a tree, or the crystallizing of 
the particles of alum, or of quartz. AVe are, all of us, con- 
scious of this. We are conscious of a law written on our hearts, 
by which our inner life is to be governed, and on obedience to 
which our happiness and growth of character depend. AVe are 
conscious of a law of right and wrong, by which we judge the 
conduct of others and hold them responsible for their actions. 
And further we are conscious of the fact that this law of God 
is adapted by its provisions to secure the rights and happiness 
of all mankind, while allowing to each individual the utmost 
liberty possible in a social state. 

But tliere is this ditference between the laws by which God 
governs the physical universe, and those by which he governs 
man; namely, that whereas the former cannot be broken, the 
latter can be, and are, broken every day. No power of angels 
could prevent a drop of dew from falling, or make these pine 
trees bear magnolia blossoms. But the merest child can obey 
or can disobey God's moral laws, according to his pleasure. 
The power of God over the soul is not, like his control of mat- 
ter, absolute; but it is limited — self-Yimlted. The soul of man 
is by nature, as God made itjy/Vf? — free to act within its given 
sphere as God himself. Thus God has limited his own omnip- 
otence, thus man is made in the imas-e of God. But ao;ain — 
thus sin is possible. 

AVe can see now how human forms of government are neces- 
sary. If all men perfectly obeyed the law of God, there would 
be no need of these. I do not say that civil institutions would 
not bQ necessary, but that there would be no need of adminis- 
tering civil laws by penalties. Obedience to God's commands 
would perfectly secure the rights and liberties of all. But man 
does not obey the law of God. He does not do as he would be 
done by. He acts selfishly, disregarding the rights and prefer- 
ences of others when these happen to come in competition with 
his own. And hence it is that some restraint is necessary. 
The power of the individual nmst be held in check by civil 
law. There must be government ; or the rights of none are 



92 

safe, the welfare of society is sacrificed. Thus government 
grows, as a necessity, out of the wants of human society. It is 
rooted in the nature of man as a moral being, and as a sinful 
being. 

Civil government is in this sense a Divine institution. The 
law Cometh by sin. But it is that provision which God makes 
to check the power of sin, to counteract its evil consecpiences, 
and to make room for his all-abounding grace. Were the pen- 
alties of God's law instantly enforced, were sin punished with 
death, there would be no need of human statutes. The world 
would be heaven to those who obeyed the law of God, and hell 
to those who disobeyed. But God is a God of long-suffering 
and tender mercy. He wills not that any should perish. And 
so he stays the avenging hand of justice. He holds forth offers 
of mercy and forgiveness ; and, meanwhile, in his providence 
does all that can be done to alleviate the wrongs and wretched- 
ness which sin has caused. Civil government is one great 
means to this end. Its object, in all just forms of it, is the 
same as that of the government of God, namely, to secure the 
highest happiness and welfare of its obedient subjects. It is a 
restraint : but it is a restraint only to secure more perfect lib- 
erty, as the restraints of anarchy are more severe than those of 
obedience to law. It is imperfect, and must be so in all forms 
of it. It is perfect only so far as it represents and approaches 
to the government of God. When it is perfect it will coincide 
with this — it will merge in it and disappear; its restraints will 
be no longer felt ; man will walk in the glorious liberty of the 
sons of God. Hence civil government has a sacred claim on our 
obedience. Rebellion against just human laws is, in a proper 
sense, rebellion against God. And the duty to enforce such 
laws, to punish treason and rebellion, to maintain the dignity 
of human government, is a duty which we owe to God. — Es- 
pecially is this true of the government under which we live, 
which of all governments that the world has ever seen is most 
just, beneficent and free. And especially is this true of the 
present rebellion, which is confessedly to secure a system of in- 
human oppression contrary to the spirit of that sacred compact 
under which our o-overnment was formed. 



93 

But liow is government to be maintained ? How are laws 
to be enlbrced ? How is obedience to law to be secured. 

There is only one way ; that is, by penalties. The law is, 
Thou shalt not steal. You cannot compel a man not to steal ; 
but you can attach such penalties to the law as to deter him 
from doing it. The law is to the sentinel, Thou shalt not sleep 
at thy post. You cannot absolutely prevent the sentinel from 
sleeping; but fear of the death penal tj^ shall keep him from it. 

But penalties to be penalties must be enforced. Paper pen- 
alties, like paper blockades, amount to nothing. How was it 
at Hagerstown ? The army regulations were as minute and 
rigorous as now ; but they were not enforced ; and scarcely a 
night passed without one or more sentinels being found sleep- 
ing at their posts. Thus, the moment you remit the penalty 
you annul the law and lose its benefits accordingly. The law 
must have its penalty or it will be no law. The penalty nnist 
be enforced or it will be no penalty, and the whole thing be- 
comes a farce — the law is a " dead letter." The present con- 
dition of our country aptly illustrates this point. If treason 
had been punished at the outset, this rebellion would have been 
nipped in the bud. But the laws were not enforced. The ad- 
ministration was weak, temporizing, timid. And so it came to 
pass that treason sat in" our high places ; rebellion walked in 
our streets ; and now we are plunged into all the horrors of a 
civil war. 

Now this fact is true of all forms of moral government, of 
the government of God as well as of parental, civil, or military 
government. The punishment of sin is just as necessary to the 
perfect working of God's law, as the punishment of insubordi- 
nation is to the discipline of the regiment, or the punishment 
of treason to the welfare of the state : and more than this, in- 
asmuch as the government of the state with its laws and pen- 
alties is merely a temporary substitute for a just and rigorous 
administration of the perfect government of God. That govern- 
ment is still maintained. Its laws are still in force. Its pen- 
alties will be inflicted on all who disobey and do not seek for- 
giveness. 

Think of it ! God's government is not a farce. His laws 



94 

are not " dead letters." His penalties are not mere empty 
threats. You who are here in arms to maintain a human form 
of government, be sure the government of God will be main- 
tained. You who are here to enforce the laws of the United 
States, be sure the laws of God will be enforced. You who 
are here to punish treason and rebellion, be sure that God 
will punish those who rebel against his holy law. 

Let me add one other thought. 

Suppose that these rebellious states should presently wish to 
return to their allegiance, on what terms would this be possi- 
ble ? What would be the most that they could ask of us ? 
What Avould be the very least that we could ask of them ? 
Would it not be that they should agree henceforth to recog- 
nize the authority of tlie federal government, to submit to the 
constitutional laws of the land, and on tliesc terms be restored 
to the enjoyment of their former rights ? If they persist in 
the rebellion, can we do otherwise than regard them as rebels 
and treat them accordingly ? Impossible, 

Just so in the government of God. Let the sinner name his 
own terms of pardon. What is the most that he can ask of 
God in order to escape the penalty of God's broken law ? 
What is the very least that God can exact of him ? Is it not 
that he turn from his sins and try henceforth to do the will of 
God, and on these terms be pardoned and received into favor? 
God could not ask less of him; for it is impossible that God 
should regard and treat as an obedient child one who is still an 
avowed enemy. This, then, is the very least — obedience. — And 
oil, what mercy ! Hear him say : " If the wicked will turn 
from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my stat- 
utes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely 
live, he shall not die. They shall not be mentioned unto him: 
in his righteousness that he liatli done shall he live. Have I 
any pleasure at all tliat the wicked should die ? saith the Lord 
God ; and not that he should return from his ways and live?" 
Wlicrefore " Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unriglit- 
eous man his thoughts ; and let him return unto the Lord, and 
he will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he Avill 
abundantly pardon," 



95 

What then is the lesson of this war? 

It is, first, obedience to the state^ as to a power ordained of 
God ; and, secondly, obedience to God. It is a lesson which 
Americans will do well to learn. In one word, it is obedience. 

And now may the God of peace, that brought again from 
the dead our Lord Jesns, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 
through the blood of the ev^erlasting covenant, make you per- 
fect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that 
which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ ; to 
whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 



I / 



OUR FIRST YEAR OF ARMY LIFE 



AN 



ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS, 



DELIVERED TO THE 



FIRST REGIMENT 



OF 



CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY, 

AT THEIR CAMP NEAR GAINES' MILLS, VA., 

.T TJ 3Sr E, 1 S 6 S, 
BY THE 

CHAPLAIN OF THE REGIMENT. 



Published for circulation solely among the memhers and friends of the Regiment. 



NEW HAVEN: 

THOMAS H. PEASE, 323 CHAPEL STREET. 

PRINTED BY THOMAS J. STAFFORD. 



1S62. 




All money entrusted to the Chaplain for safe keeping, 
is deposited in the Kew Haven Savings Bank. Communi- 
cations with regard to such sums should be addressed (en- 
closing postage stamps) to Stephen D. Pardee, Esq., Treas- 
urer, l^ew Haven, Connecticut. 





• ■^i!*''' £•>!-' 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



013 709 094 6 ♦ 






